Candyfloss (novel) facts for kids

First edition (published by Doubleday)

Candyfloss is a popular novel written by Jacqueline Wilson. It was first published in 2006 by Doubleday. The story follows a young girl named Flora, also known as Floss, as she navigates big changes in her family life.

What Happens in Candyfloss?

Floss Barnes's parents, Sally and Charlie, are divorced. Floss lives with her mom, Sally, her stepfather, Steve, and her little half-brother, Tiger. Floss often wishes her parents would get back together. She doesn't really like her stepfather, Steve.

On Floss's birthday, her mom and Steve tell her big news. They are moving to Australia for six months because of Steve's job. Floss wants to go with them but doesn't want to leave her dad, Charlie. Charlie is a fun and cheerful dad. He runs his own café, which is struggling to stay open.

Floss Lives with Her Dad

Floss convinces her mom that she can live with Charlie while Sally and Steve are in Australia. Life with Charlie is very different for Floss. Her dad isn't used to taking care of her every day. Floss's school uniforms often get dirty because Charlie isn't used to washing and ironing them.

Luckily, Floss's teacher, Mrs. Horsefield, helps her out. Floss is one of Mrs. Horsefield's favorite students. Floss and Charlie slowly learn to manage their new life together.

New Friends and Challenges

Charlie and Floss meet Rose, a very kind woman who works at a funfair. Rose is caring and helps them. After Rose leaves with the fair, they hope to see her again. Meanwhile, a regular customer at Charlie's café, Billy the Chip, places a bet on a horse that Floss chooses. He wins a lot of money!

Floss also has a best friend named Rhiannon. But Rhiannon isn't always a good friend. She makes fun of Floss and her dad. Rhiannon even starts mean rumors about Floss's mom leaving her. Rhiannon's mom is very fancy and thinks Charlie is not a good father. She tries to tell him how to raise Floss.

Floss decides to end her friendship with Rhiannon. She finds a new friend named Susan. Susan is interested in all the same things as Floss. This makes Rhiannon angry, and she starts to bully Floss. Rhiannon often calls Floss "Smelly Chip."

Tough Times and New Beginnings

Charlie's café and their flat are lost because of money problems. Billy the Chip, the man who won money on the horse, offers to help. He is going to Australia for a month to visit his son. He asks Floss and Charlie to live in his house. Charlie can also work in Billy's chip van.

One day, some tough young men start a fight with Rose's son, Saul. When Charlie tries to stop the fight, the chip van catches fire. Floss is trapped inside! Charlie bravely fights through the fire to rescue her. He burns his hands while saving Floss.

When the fair returns to town, Rose and Charlie start to like each other. Floss notices they get along very well. Rose even lets Floss help her at the candyfloss stall. Later, Susan and her parents go to their holiday home in France for the summer. Floss says goodbye to her new best friend. The book ends with Floss thinking about dyeing her hair pink, just like candyfloss.

Main Characters

Flora "Floss" Barnes

Floss is a happy and lively girl. She sometimes finds it hard to stand up for herself. She makes a big choice to stay with her dad, Charlie, when her mom, Sally, moves to Australia. Floss stops being friends with Rhiannon but later becomes best friends with Susan. She is small with lots of curly blonde hair. She thinks about dyeing it pink.

Charlie Barnes

Charlie is Floss's dad and Sally's ex-husband. He used to run a small local café. He loses the café because of debt. Later, he works in a chip van until it burns down. Charlie is a bit plump with dark hair. Even though he can be a little forgetful, he cares deeply for Floss. He saves her life from the burning chip van. He starts a romantic relationship with Rose from the funfair.

Sally (Sal) Westwood

Sally is Charlie's ex-wife and Floss's mom. She is now married to Steve and has a son named Tim, who is called Tiger. She tries to act very fancy. Sally still gets along with Charlie, but she often makes fun of him. She tells Floss they are moving to Australia. Sally is sad when Floss decides to stay with Charlie. Floss misses her mom a lot.

Susan Potts

Susan is a new girl in Floss's class. She is very smart. Other kids sometimes call her 'Swotty Potty'. Susan wants to be Floss's friend but is scared of Rhiannon. After Floss stops being friends with Rhiannon, Susan and Floss become best friends. They both love art, books, and being creative. Susan has short brown hair, wears glasses, and loves numbers.

Rhiannon

Rhiannon is Floss's former best friend. She is pretty with straight black hair and a slim figure. She is also rich and likes to show off her money. Rhiannon can be very rude, especially with her friends Margot and Judy. They bully Susan and Floss. Rhiannon lies to people, saying Floss's mom left her.

Rose

Rose runs the candyfloss stall at the funfair. Floss and Charlie meet her there. She is very kind and helps Floss and Charlie. At the end of the book, she returns to thank Charlie for saving her son, Saul. Rose and Charlie develop romantic feelings for each other. She is pretty with blonde hair and often wears red and pink clothes.