Examining The Minefield Of The Playground

Sleep-Overs by Jacqueline Wilson is a contemporary tale for girls aged eight years and over.

The novel explores the world of friendships in school. It is a minefield, negotiating the politics of the school playground, even though the girls are young.

We meet the school bully who can be very cruel and spiteful. Girls are friends with her out of fear.

There are five friends who have five very different sleep-overs. It is in the final one that true characters emerge, and personalities shine. We see that when a character has a chance to be mean or be kind, she chooses the route of kindness.

The action is seen through the eyes of Daisy and is in the first person.

We meet Daisy’s older sister Lily, who is wheelchair bound and with special needs (sounds like cerebral palsy to me). How characters treat her, shows their hearts.

We learn that everyone is different and we are all to be valued.

Sleep-Overs is perfect for young girls. They will be able to identify with the different characters. Even though I am much older, I can remember the school bully from my childhood.

Sleep-Overs has a timeless appeal to all the generations of young girls.

JULIA WILSON