Jacqueline Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacqueline Wilson
GBE FRSL
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Wilson in 2019
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| Born | Jacqueline Aitken 17 December 1945 Bath, Somerset, England |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Period | 1969–present |
| Genre | Realist |
| Notable works | |
| Notable awards | Guardian Prize 2000 British Book Award 2000, 2003 |
| Spouse |
William Millar Wilson
(m. 1965; div. 2004) |
| Partner | Trish Beswick (2002–present) |
| Children | Emma Wilson |
Dame Jacqueline Wilson (born 17 December 1945) is a famous English writer. She is well-known for her popular children's literature. Her books are special because they talk about real-life topics. These include things like adoption and families changing. She writes about these topics in a way that many young readers enjoy. Since her first book in 1969, Jacqueline Wilson has written more than 100 books.
Contents
Becoming a Writer: Early Life and Career
Jacqueline Aitken was born in Bath, Somerset, England. Her birthday is 17 December 1945. Her father, Harry, worked for the government. Her mother, Margaret, bought and sold old items. Jacqueline loved reading books, especially stories like Little Women. When she was nine, she wrote her first "book." It was 21 pages long and called "Meet the Maggots." At school, friends called her Jacky Daydream. She later used this name for her autobiography. This book tells about her life as a young child.
After school, at age 16, she trained to be a secretary. But she soon applied to work for a publishing company. This company was called DC Thomson in Dundee. She worked on a new magazine for girls called Jackie.
Jacqueline Wilson later decided to focus on writing her own books. She wrote some detective stories first. Then, she started writing books especially for children. When she was 40, she took a special English exam and got a top grade. She wrote about 40 books before becoming very famous. Her big breakthrough came in 1991 with The Story of Tracy Beaker.
Her children's books often explore real-life situations. These include characters dealing with new families or changes at home. While some of these topics can be tricky, her books are loved by many. Both children and adults enjoy her stories.
Helping Others: University and Charity Work
In 2013, Jacqueline Wilson became a special professor at the University of Roehampton. She later became the Chancellor of the university. This is an honorary role, like being a special figurehead. She taught classes on children's literature and creative writing. She finished her time as Chancellor in 2020.
Jacqueline Wilson also supports several charities. She is a patron for Momentum. This charity helps children with cancer and their families. She also supports the Letterbox Club. This group gives books to children who are in care.
Awards and Recognition
Jacqueline Wilson has won many awards for her writing. These include the Smarties Prize. She also won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. This award is judged by other British children's writers. Her book The Illustrated Mum (1999) won the Guardian Prize. It also won the British Book Award for Children's Book of the Year. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People's Choice Award. Girls in Tears was Children's Book of the Year in 2003.
In 2002, she received an OBE. This was for her work helping children learn to read in schools. From 2005 to 2007, she was the fourth Children's Laureate. This is a special role for a children's writer. As Laureate, she encouraged parents to keep reading aloud to children. She also worked to make more books available for blind people. She also campaigned to keep children's TV shows strong.
Many universities have given her special degrees. These include the University of Winchester and the University of Roehampton.
In 2008, Jacqueline Wilson was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This is a very high honor. In 2017, she received a Special Award at the BAFTA Children's Awards. In 2025, she was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.
Because of her amazing work as a children's writer, she was nominated for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2014. This award celebrates authors who have made a lasting contribution to children's literature.
A lecture hall at Kingston University is named after her.
Books and TV Shows
Many of Jacqueline Wilson's popular books have been made into TV shows. These adaptations bring her characters and stories to life on screen.
TV Adaptations of Her Books
- Cliffhanger (1995, Channel 4)
- Double Act (2002, Channel 4)
- The Story of Tracy Beaker (2002–2006, CBBC). This show starred Dani Harmer as Tracy.
- The Illustrated Mum (2003, Channel 4)
- Best Friends (2004, ITV)
- Girls in Love (ITV)
- Dustbin Baby (BBC)
- Tracy Beaker Returns (2010–2012). This series continued Tracy's story.
- The Tracy Beaker Survival Files (2011–2012). A spin-off show with lessons from Tracy.
- The Dumping Ground (2013–). This show continues the stories of children in care. It was inspired by the Tracy Beaker books.
- The Dumping Ground Survival Files (2014–2020).
- Hetty Feather (2015–2020). This show follows Hetty's life in a special hospital for children.
- The Dumping Ground: I'm... (2016–2021).
- Katy was made into a three-part TV series, Katy, for CBBC in 2018.
- Four Children and It was adapted into a film called Four Kids and It.
- My Mum Tracy Beaker was made into a TV series for CBBC in 2021.
- We Are The Beaker Girls was adapted into a TV series, The Beaker Girls, in 2021.
- Little Darlings was adapted into a TV series for Sky Kids in 2022.
Jacqueline Wilson's Personal Life
Jacqueline married Millar Wilson in 1965 when she was 19. They had a daughter named Emma. Her marriage later ended in 2004.
In 2020, Jacqueline Wilson shared that she lives with her partner, Trish. They have been together for 18 years. She lives in East Sussex. In 2024, she said she was very happy to be seen as an inspiration to many. This was after she published her first book for adults, Think Again. This book continues the story of characters from her "Girls" series as they turn 40.
Images for kids
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Wilson in 2019
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Wilson in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Jacqueline Wilson para niños
