I posted about rereading Lola Rose on Instagram in May and someone messaged to tell me that The Suitcase Kid was their favourite Jacqueline Wilson book. It sounded really familiar (I might have read it in Primary School?) so obviously I had to hunt down a copy and read/reread it.

The Suitcase Kid is about Andy, who spends one week at her mum’s place and one week at her dad’s place. Where she really wants to be, however, is back at Mulberry Cottage with her mum and dad as one family. But that isn’t going to happen, since both her mum and dad have found new partners of their own (plus, they quarrel literally every time they meet so…). Luckily, Andy has Raddish, her mascot.

The book uses the entire alphabet to tell Andy’s story and her complicated feelings towards it. Despite her parents’ best efforts, Andy doesn’t get along with all of her new stepsiblings (and it doesn’t help that her parents seem to despise the other parent’s new partner).

Although this was a quick read (I finished it in under an hour), it is a moving one and I found myself crying a little towards the end. I think Jacqueline Wilson has done an excellent job capturing the different emotions and struggles that Andy is going through and how parents can let you down, even if they’re doing their best.

I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s another thoughtful story and moving story from Jacqueline Wilson. I think this would be aimed at younger kids, but if you enjoy MG, you should pick this up as well.

Featured Image: Photo from Canva