The Runaway Girls
Jacqueline Wilson has been one of our favourite children's authors for many years. Ruby Mandry reminds us why we love her
The Runaway Girls by Jacqueline Wilson is a story about the thrilling adventures, bonding and challenges of two young girls named Lucy Locket and Kitty Fisher as they find themselves thrown together on the dangerous streets of Victorian London. Lucy has just recently been introduced to her horrible new stepmother who has persuaded her father that she is a vile, ungrateful little girl.
Over time, Lucy begins to grow a deep hatred towards her stepmother and runs away. As she begins her adventure in trying to locate her old nurse (who was kicked out after her new stepmother decided it would be best if she was replaced by an old, moany governess named Miss Groan), she is challenged with the realisation that London isn’t the safe haven she viewed it to be. She is attacked, robbed and endures so much more before she is saved by another runaway named Kitty Fisher. Kitty is a brave, selfless and determined child who gets by on her wits and helps Lucy adjust to runaway life in London. Together, they visit the Great Exhibition, beg for food, perform dances and songs and do so much more to ensure their survival.
After the two girls get to know each other better, it also turns out that Kitty is on the search for someone, her Gaffer. Gaffer is a man who found Kitty when she was young and took her and cared for her until he was accused of an unthinkable crime and was sent away to one of England’s most secure prisons. After a few days of performing tumbling acts at the Great Exhibition, the two girls are accused of robbery and are taken away by the police to a home for troubled children. While they are at this home, they meet Miss Turnover, a large, aggressive, strict woman who is there to make sure they follow the rules. The two girls form a devious plan to run away from the home and to resume their hunt for Lucy’s beloved nurse and Kitty’s Gaffer.
I would strongly recommend this book to people who love adventure books. I would overall rate this book a 4 / 5 as it does slow down a little in the middle of the book as there isn’t much action, just them scavenging for new clothes and food – but the rest is brilliant.
Ruby Mandry, Year 7
The Runaway Girls by Jacqueline Wilson is a story about the thrilling adventures, bonding and challenges of two young girls named Lucy Locket and Kitty Fisher as they find themselves thrown together on the dangerous streets of Victorian London. Lucy has just recently been introduced to her horrible new stepmother who has persuaded her father that she is a vile, ungrateful little girl.
Over time, Lucy begins to grow a deep hatred towards her stepmother and runs away. As she begins her adventure in trying to locate her old nurse (who was kicked out after her new stepmother decided it would be best if she was replaced by an old, moany governess named Miss Groan), she is challenged with the realisation that London isn’t the safe haven she viewed it to be. She is attacked, robbed and endures so much more before she is saved by another runaway named Kitty Fisher. Kitty is a brave, selfless and determined child who gets by on her wits and helps Lucy adjust to runaway life in London. Together, they visit the Great Exhibition, beg for food, perform dances and songs and do so much more to ensure their survival.
After the two girls get to know each other better, it also turns out that Kitty is on the search for someone, her Gaffer. Gaffer is a man who found Kitty when she was young and took her and cared for her until he was accused of an unthinkable crime and was sent away to one of England’s most secure prisons. After a few days of performing tumbling acts at the Great Exhibition, the two girls are accused of robbery and are taken away by the police to a home for troubled children. While they are at this home, they meet Miss Turnover, a large, aggressive, strict woman who is there to make sure they follow the rules. The two girls form a devious plan to run away from the home and to resume their hunt for Lucy’s beloved nurse and Kitty’s Gaffer.
I would strongly recommend this book to people who love adventure books. I would overall rate this book a 4 / 5 as it does slow down a little in the middle of the book as there isn’t much action, just them scavenging for new clothes and food – but the rest is brilliant.
Ruby Mandry, Year 7