"Starring Tracy Beaker" by Jacqueline Wilson

Tracy Beaker, the angriest girl in the children's home, is picked to play Scrooge for in the school Christmas play. She is overjoyed, fantasising that the Mum will come and see her. But can she keep her temper in the rehearsals? And will she be able to go on stage if her Mum isn't in the audience?

Rather more conventional than the book that first introduced the feisty Ms Beaker, this has a classic plot with antagonists and supporters and obstacles and triumphs like a real fairy story.

And let us not forget than Tracy never ever cries though she might get hayfever from time to time.

Great moments:

• "'I'm scared of Tracy Beaker,' said Peter. 'Even though she's my friend'." 
• "You don't really work hard to get people to like you, Tracy."

Books by Jacqueline Wilson reviewed in this blog:

• The Story of Tracy Beaker
• Starring Tracy Beaker
• The Dare Game

April 2020; 167 pages