You really do get absorbed in a different world. You’re not thinking, ‘Oh God, I feel ill’ or ‘What’s going to happen next?’ It’s a good way of just coping, I suppose. Now I feel like I'm being a bit insensitive, it's interesting for me but was often sad and horrible for them! Must have been incredibly difficult to be separated from your parents at such a young age with no idea whether you'd see them again. And lots never did.

Throughout the book, as expected from a novel set in wartime England, there's old time language and what would be considered minor swearing but time appropriate. There's mentions of objects from wartime England and the caricatures depicted the time and theme of the book tremendously. Shirley was a great character and she really earnt a place in my heart over how kind she was and cheeky when necessary! My favourite character is Shirley Smith (The main character) she loves books and can't put them down (like me). She has a very bright imagination, and can imagine any character from any of her books and make them come to life. Join Kevin, Shirley and Archie on an adventure in the country side. They are all very adventurous children but some things go wrong after they arrive. This was supposed to be a holiday for Shirley (as her Mum called it that,) but instead it turned out to be a mixture of clumsiness, embarrassment and danger.

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With [creating] characters I find it quite easy because I made up so many imaginary friends when I was a little girl because I didn’t have any siblings,” says the divorced mother of one. This book was both worrying to read and exciting. I would like to read more Jacqueline Wilson books. Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.

September, 1939. As the Second World War begins, ten-year-old Shirley is sent away ona train with her schoolmates. She doesn’t know where she’s going, or what’s going to happen to her when she gets there. All she has been told is that she’s going on ‘a little holiday’. However the reality of being billeted in a country village hits home when the residents are asked to select the kids they are willing to take in. Of course there are more kids than available beds and it all gets quite dramatic as Shirley and the two remaining – and unprepossessing – boys are virtually forced on to an unwilling ( and reclusive) hostess.Made shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, it was Fields' last British film. [3] It was shot at Islington Studios with sets designed by Alex Vetchinsky. [4] Cast [ edit ]

Upon arriving in the countryside, Jessica and Shirley have to split up as they aren't going to stay at the same places, it unsettled them but they promise to stay friends. Shirley winds up left with a few other children and so they're forced into villagers with rooms. Shirley ends up also placed with Kevin a boy who's also ten but very tall and Archie a young bald boy. They stay with the mysterious Chubby, a bossy housekeeper and her friend Lady Waverley. Jacqueline Wilson writes with humour, insight, compassion and understanding. Her characters all are credible and engaging. Wilson has an incredible ability to inhabit her child characters so precisely and Wave Me Goodbye will be like Nina Bawden's Carrie's War for a new generation of children learning about our country's past Belfast TelegraphAn enjoyable read reminiscent of JW’s early books! The ending felt a little flat to me - I felt Mrs Waverleys character could have been developed a little more as well as Shirley’s mother, but this was still an interesting read with some twists and turns. I have already bought/read over 6 books of this author and more being released every year. I would like to know how many evacuees ran away from their selected homes and how many didn't go home.

This book is about a 10 year old girl called Shirley. She wakes up one morning to find that she is being evacuated to the countryside with her school. This book is set during World War Two where most children were evacuated to the countryside. Shirley is evacuated to a big house with two boys, Kevin and Archie. In the red house there live two women (Chubby and Mrs Waverly) but the house is unfurnished. In this book you find out the reason for this and many other secrets. Set in 1939, Shirley is evacuated to the country where everything is of new customs. Living with two unruly boys will not be easy for her and she definitely is not a favourite of chubby (the house keeper of the woman who took her in.) Know her struggles and her joys as you follow along with her journey through the war.Kevin and Archie were probably Shirley's least expected partners for billeting. When they got her the tunic I thought of what she would look like and she looked horrendous in the clod hoppers and shirt. It adds up wonderfully, in that it’s perfectly possible to write two quite long books a year without too much stress.”