20 of the Best Jacqueline Wilson Characters
I can’t think of a more iconic children’s author than Jacqueline Wilson. A previous children’s laureate with more than 100 books to her name, JW’s titles have been read and enjoyed by multiple generations of kids.
But out of all of those books, which are the characters that stand out the most? I’ve had a look through Jackie’s back catalogue and picked out 20 of her absolute finest - let me know if you agree!
Frankie - Love, Frankie
I had to start this list with Jackie’s first openly gay heroine! Frankie is fourteen years old, dealing with the ups and downs of teenage life while also caring for her mum who has MS. Over the course of the story Frankie is befriended by popular girl Sally, previous bully, and potential future girlfriend…
Treasure - Secrets
Treasure is one tough cookie. Having grown up in an abusive home, she’s faced adversity from a young age.
Flora Barnes - Candyfloss
This character has brilliant candy floss shaped hair, and an unwavering loyalty to her lovely dad.
Gemma - Best Friends
When Gemma’s best friend Alice moves all the way to Scotland, she doesn’t know what to do. As kids our school friends are often some of our most important relationships, and I’ve always empathised with how Gemma struggles when her bff moves away.
Biscuits McVitie - Best Friends
I always love a kind friend! Biscuits is there for Gemma when she finds herself friendless and lonely; I loved reading about how much fun they had together.
Clover Moon - Self titled novel
Here’s another caring character, but from Hetty Feather’s Victorian universe. Clover may live in poverty, but she always thinks about others and routinely looks after her younger siblings.
Rose Rivers - Self titled novel
Rose crosses paths with Clover, but they couldn’t be from more different backgrounds. Raised as part of a wealthy family, she’s open minded and has a thirst for knowledge. Also, she has the most beautiful name!
Beauty - Cookie
Beauty may be rich but that doesn’t stop her from being horribly bullied at school. Despite her name, Beauty’s peers don’t see her as being conventionally beautiful, and fail to see how lovely she is on the inside. Beauty’s also very fond of rabbits - I’m pretty sure that she set off my own bunny obsession!
Ruby - Double Act
One half of the double act twins, Ruby is boisterous and a lot of fun.
Garnet - Double Act
And then there’s Garnet, who’s one of those characters that many Jacqueline Wilson readers will relate to: quiet, studious and bookish.
Dolphin - The Illustrated Mum
Another quiet character who adores her family, and idolises her mum. After her mother, Marigold has a breakdown, Dolphin shows great resilience in the face of the challenges that lie ahead.
Justine Littlewood - the Tracy Beaker series
Everyone loves the bad guy, and this applies to Tracy Beaker’s arch-enemy Justine Littlewood. She’s essentially just another little girl having a really difficult time, and I loved reading about her antics.
Andie - the Suitcase Kid
Andie is super sweet and I remember being very taken by the little Sylvanian Family rabbit that she would take everywhere with her.
Jodie - My Sister Jodie
As young Pearl’s spirited sister, Jodie is super protective and supportive. She’s also very rebellious, and has a penchant for breaking the rules.
Cam Lawson - the Tracy Beaker series
It’s time for a few of my favourite grown up characters! Cam is Tracy’s long suffering foster mum, and is endlessly patient and loving towards her, despite how difficult their relationship could be. I also really appreciate how her character has been developed in the more recent books.
Flora’s Dad Charlie - Candyfloss
One thing that Jacqueline Wilson’s books often lack are kind, caring dads, so I loved reading about Charlie, the cheeky chip shop owning chappie from Candyfloss. He’s sweet and lovely and really made this book special.
Miss Sarah Smith - the Hetty Feather series
This individual acted as a mentor for Hetty Feather and several other characters in their fictional, 20th century-based universe. Miss Sarah Smith is a published writer and encourages Hetty to continue her own work and to follow her dreams, despite her difficult upbringing.
Em - Clean Break
Here’s another character who’s extremely kind and nurturing, and cares for her younger siblings Vita and Maxie while their parents are going through a difficult separation. She’s imaginative and loves telling her brother and sister stories!
Hetty Feather - the Hetty Feather series
I’ve always thought of Hetty as Tracy Beaker for the new generation. Like Tracy, she’s a determined, authority defying girl living in a group home, but with one main difference - she’s from the 1900s! I love how strong Hetty is despite her circumstances, and following her through the series is a lot of fun.
Tracy Beaker - the Tracy Beaker series
All kneel for the absolute queen of Jacqueline Wilson characters. A plucky, fiery young madam, Tracy was first published in The Story of Tracy Beaker back in 1991, and has recently been revived in a brand new series featuring her daughter Jess.
Do you think I’ve chosen the right characters? I’d love to know who you would add to this list!
further reading
Books You Need to Read by Jacqueline Wilson