The Suitcase Kid facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Jacqueline Wilson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Nick Sharratt |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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1992 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 154 pp (first edition) |
The Suitcase Kid is a children's novel by Jacqueline Wilson. Nick Sharratt created the pictures for the book. The story is about a young girl named Andy. Her parents are getting a divorce, which means they are separating.
Andy feels stuck between her parents and their new families. She really wants her parents to get back together. But as the story goes on, Andy learns that she needs to accept the changes. She has to move forward, just like her parents are doing.
Contents
Meet Andy and Her Family
Andrea West, who everyone calls Andy, is a ten-year-old girl. She is tall and full of energy. Her parents have recently divorced. Andy finds it hard to choose where to live. Should she live with her mum and her new family? Or with her dad and his new family?
A social worker suggests a plan: Andy will live one week with her mum and one week with her dad. This makes Andy feel like she is always living out of a suitcase.
Andy's Mum's New Family
Andy's mum has married a man named Bill. Andy calls him "Bill the Baboon" because she doesn't like him much. Bill has three children from a previous marriage. Andy especially dislikes Katie, who is only five days older than Andy. Katie makes Andy share a bedroom and calls her "Andy Pandy".
Andy's Dad's New Family
Andy's dad has married Carrie. Carrie has twins named Zen and Crystal. She is also expecting a new baby with Andy's dad. Andy doesn't dislike Carrie and her kids as much as Bill and his. Still, Andy wishes she could have her dad all to herself.
Andy's Hopes and Challenges
Throughout the book, Andy dreams of her parents getting back together. She wants them to move back into their old house, which was called Mulberry Cottage.
Because of all the changes, Andy starts to struggle at school. Her grades get worse. She also loses touch with her best friend, Aileen. As Andy feels more and more alone, she finds comfort in her toy rabbit. Her rabbit is a spotted Sylvanian Families toy named Radish. Andy often plays imaginary games with Radish.
The Secret Garden and Radish
One day, Andy discovers a secret garden. It has mulberry trees, just like her old house, Mulberry Cottage. Andy starts going to this garden after school. As her life feels like it's falling apart, she spends more time there.
One day, the garden owners surprise her. Andy accidentally drops Radish down a tree. She can't get her out! Andy has to run away and leave Radish behind.
It's a "mum's house week," and Katie is bothering Andy. In the middle of the night, Andy runs away to get Radish. Her parents are very worried but soon find her. Andy insists she must find Radish. They meet the garden owners, Mr and Mrs Peters. This kind elderly couple become friends with Andy. They act like honorary grandparents, giving her and Radish kind gifts.
Accepting Change
By the end of the book, Andy has become friends with her step-siblings. She also slowly accepts that her parents will not get back together.
Who's Who in the Story?
- Andrea (Andy) - The main character of the story.
- Radish - Andy's special Sylvanian Families rabbit. Andy talks to Radish about her problems.
- Mum (Carol) - Andy's mother.
- Dad (Simon) - Andy's father.
- Bill (The Baboon or Un-Uncle Bill) - Andy's mother's new husband. He works as a painter and decorator.
- Paula - Bill's outgoing teenage daughter.
- Graham - Bill's shy son.
- Katie - Bill's youngest daughter. She is the same age as Andy but acts younger. Katie calls Andy "Andy Pandy" and often causes arguments. She is also scared of sleeping because something sad happened to her mother when she was younger.
- Carrie - Andy's father's new wife. She is kind to Andy. Andy tries not to like her, hoping her dad will go back to her mum. Carrie does not allow any junk food in their home.
- Zen and Crystal - Carrie's five-year-old twins.
- Aileen - Andy's old friend. They have grown apart since Andy's parents divorced.
- Fiona - A girl who becomes friends with Aileen.
- Miss Maynard - The headmistress of Andy's school.
- Mr Roberts - The owner of a sweet shop. Andy, Graham, and Katie visit his shop.
- Mr and Mrs Peters - A kind older couple who become friends with Andy.
- Zoe (originally Ethel) - Andy's new baby sister. She is born at the end of the book. Andy really likes her.
