Baby Love

Product Information

I've been a Jacqueline Wilson fan since my teens and once again, she doesn't hold back in exploring difficult topics and bringing you on an emotional journey. The authors writing perfectly encapsulated the innocence and young nature of the main character, Laura, expertly writing her character and capturing the confusion, whirlwind and uncertainty that was being a young, unmarried, pregnant girl in these times.

I think teenagers reading this book will be shocked and surprised at the treatment young mothers received in this era, both from professionals and their own families. It's 1960 and Laura is a fourteen year old girl from a poor area that goes to the local grammar school. Nina immediately looks at ease and trying to match her confident friend, Laura agrees to one of the boys walking her home, including a detour on the way. I found her writing to be just as engaging and well-paced as I did when I was a teenager, which surprised me. I truly felt I was there and was so heartily routing for Laura, I had no idea if this was going to be a tragedy or not but can safely say my heart soared and was full by the end of reading this book.

I can’t understand how JW can completely understand teenage anxiety and make her characters come to life in such a fluid way. However, in the 1960s women who are unmarried or young are treated very different to today for becoming pregnant. At only 14, still very naive and incredibly homesick, Laura meets other girls her mother would label "Rough," or "Tarts" or "Unsuitable," who in fact are caring, and friendly.

The rear of the book includes a note on sexual consent and some (UK only) organisations and resources available for anyone needing support or information. Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world.As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her! Trying to keep up with Nina gets increasingly difficult as they venture out to cafes and movies in their school holidays.