Source: http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/oct/08/jacqueline-wilson-interview-opal-plumstead-100-books
By Joanna Shaw
Opal Plumstead is Jacqueline Wilson’s 100th published novel, as this is such an amazing achievement I felt obliged to celebrate Wilson’s award winning achievements.
Source: http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?productId=505568&storeId=10001
Opal Plumstead, a young teenage girl growing up in Edwardian England in the midst of the Suffragette movement is forced to leave school and sent to work at the Fairy Glenn sweet factory after her father is imprisoned. Missing her only friend, her scholarship education and having to earn a wage to help her mother and sister Cassie, Opal struggles to fit in at Fairy Glenn; until she meets Morgan Roberts, the factory owner’s son. But with the threat of the Great War looming, can Opal and Morgan be together?
From my memories of reading such favourites like The Illustrated Mum, Tracy Beaker and Lola Rose as a child, Opal Plumstead certainly fits in with the whimsical imagination of childhood. Wilson is repeatedly praised for tackling domestic and social issues in a way children can understand, such as mental health issues in The Illustrated Mum and the concept of the broken family. Opal Plumstead also contains historical references to the rights of women and World War One; it also demonstrates the divisions of class in the Edwardian era and the representation of women searching for a husband to support their families. The beautiful illustrations by Wilson’s illustrator of choice (Nick Sharratt) these simple sketches are the trademark of Wilson’s book covers and they give the reader a vision of the characters and settings that are described in the novel.
Opal as a character is surprisingly mature for her age, but she still embodies traits of creativity and mild naivety that is typical of many of Wilson’s characters. Overall I believe that Opal Plumstead deserves a space in the highly acclaimed line of Jacqueline Wilson’s outstanding children’s books and I will certainly be re-reading my favourites from this wonderful author.
I give it 4 out of 5.
Joanna Shaw is a second year English and Film Student and loves nothing more than a good book. Follow her on twitter @booklifereads and on Goodreads
Featured image and gallery: Sam Holmes From Mirfield to Manchester, this Yorkshire-born four-piece bring their funk-interwoven indie rock to a sold-out Gorilla for their biggest headline show to date. Fresh off the back of their new single ‘Watch Life Burn’ and signing their first record deal with This Feeling/ LAB Records, there is already a…
Featured image and photography: Aaron Parsons / Press Haiden Henderson isn’t a name known to many in Manchester, but the Californian rockstar certainly made sure to leave a lasting impression. With sensual and sexy songs, Henderson really knows how to heat up a crowd in more ways than one. Unreleased track ‘Freak For You’ sets a…
Feature image: Press The Manchester Film Festival has wrapped its 12th edition, running over 11 days and showcasing a strong line-up of local and international talent from across the independent film industry. Festival director Neil Jeram-Croft reflected on this year’s programme, filled with a mix of features, shorts and documentaries spanning the cities’ cinema hotspots:…
Featured image: Press Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester for their ‘Reggae Got Soul’ 50th anniversary tour. Following their hugely successful 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album, Reggae Got Soul. Fronted for decades by Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert – named by Rolling Stone…
Leave a reply