Bad Girls (Wilson novel) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Jacqueline Wilson |
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| Illustrator | Nick Sharratt |
| Country | England |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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2 May 1996 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 192 |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-40702-1 |
Bad Girls is a children's novel published in 1996. It was written by the famous English author Jacqueline Wilson and illustrated by Nick Sharratt. The story is about a ten-year-old girl named Mandy. She is being bullied by three girls at school. Mandy then becomes friends with Tanya, a lively teenage girl who is in foster care. Tanya is dealing with her own personal challenges.
What's the Story About?
Mandy White is a shy 10-year-old girl. She feels embarrassed because her mother treats her like a much younger child. Her mom makes her wear childish clothes and hairstyles. Because of this, Mandy is often teased at school by three classmates: Kim, Melanie, and Sarah.
One day, Mandy nearly gets hit by a bus while trying to avoid the bullies. After this, she stays home from school. This is when she meets Tanya, a cool 14-year-old girl. Tanya is being fostered by Mandy's next-door neighbor. Mandy's mother is very protective and doesn't approve of Tanya at first. But Mandy and Tanya quickly become great friends. They dream of a future where they are older and independent. They want to live together and have exciting adventures.
Mandy's dad, however, thinks Tanya is nice. He even takes both girls swimming. Mandy gets a bit scared when she finds out Tanya sometimes takes things from shops without paying. But Mandy doesn't say anything, worried they might not be allowed to see each other.
One summer day, Tanya and Mandy are caught by the police. Tanya had taken something from a fancy clothing shop. Mandy's mother is upset at first. But she soon realizes she has been too strict with Mandy. She lets Mandy get new glasses and change her hairstyle. This makes Mandy feel less childish.
Mandy also makes a new friend at school, Arthur King. He is a shy boy who loves fantasy stories. Mandy misses Tanya a lot. Tanya had to move to a new foster home after her past troubles were discovered. In Mandy's new school year, the teacher holds a special talk about bullying. Mandy is worried things might get worse, but it all turns out okay. Kim stops bothering Mandy. Melanie, who used to be Mandy's friend, becomes friends with her again.
The book ends happily. Tanya, who finds writing hard because she has dyslexia, writes a letter to Mandy. She tells Mandy they will always be best friends. She promises they will see each other again, just like they dreamed.
Tanya also appears briefly in another book by Jacqueline Wilson called Dustbin Baby.
Meet the Characters
Main Characters
- Mandy White: Mandy is ten years old. She is very shy and quiet. She often feels bad about herself. Her parents are older than other kids' parents. They treat her like she's much younger, making her wear babyish clothes and hairstyles. Mandy is bullied by Kim, Sarah, and Melanie.
- Tanya: Tanya is fourteen years old. She lives across the street from Mandy with a foster mother, Mrs. Williams. Tanya has bright orange hair and wears cool clothes. She is tough and streetwise, but also kind. She can be moody and doesn't like schoolwork because she has dyslexia. Mandy is surprised to learn that Tanya sometimes takes things from shops without paying. Tanya eventually has to move to a new foster home.
- Mandy's Mother: Mandy's mother is fifty-five. She is very protective and treats Mandy like a baby. She is a sensitive but firm woman.
- Mandy's Father: Mandy's father is 62 and a businessman. He is gentler than Mandy's mother. He often helps keep things calm. He sometimes stands up for Tanya when Mandy's mother is upset.
- Kim Matthews: Kim is a girl in Mandy's class. She is popular and confident. Kim teases Mandy a lot about her parents, looks, and clothes. She is the leader of the bullying group.
- Sarah Newman: Sarah is another bully in the group. She has thick blonde curls and looks up to Kim. She often picks on Mandy to impress Kim.
- Melanie Holder: Melanie is also part of Kim's group. She used to be Mandy's best friend. She uses Mandy's secrets and private games to embarrass her. Melanie and Sarah often try to outdo each other to please Kim.
- Arthur King: Arthur is a boy in Mandy's class. He is as shy as Mandy. They become good friends by the end of the book. He loves chess and stories about King Arthur.
Other Characters
- Pat Williams: She is the foster mother Tanya lives with for a while.
- Mrs. Stanley: She is Mandy's Year 5 class teacher.
- Miss Moseley: She is the characters' Year 6 class teacher.
- Mr. and Mrs. Patel: They own a corner shop that Tanya and Mandy visit.
