Books › Lola Rose
Lola Rose
First published 2003 · 288 pages
A bittersweet, gripping journey of a young girl forced to grow up too fast when her family's glamorous escape collides with harsh reality.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like holding your breath in the dark, only to slowly exhale as the morning light creeps in. It balances on the razor's edge between a thrilling childhood adventure and a deeply anxious reality, pulling you into the mind of a young girl forced to play adult. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, driven by a conversational and frank voice that never talks down to its audience. You are immersed in an atmosphere that is simultaneously gritty and vulnerable, where the glittering promise of a new identity is constantly threatened by poverty and parental fallibility. It will deeply resonate with readers who appreciate unflinching, empathetic stories about resilient kids navigating the messy, imperfect world of adults.
- Mood
- anxious
- hopeful
- gritty
- vulnerable
- Tone
- frank
- earnest
- bittersweet
- resilient
- conversational
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- premature responsibility · reinvention and identity · fragility of safety · maternal fallibility · escapism versus reality
- The writing
- Accessible and deeply empathetic, perfectly capturing the authentic, slightly naive voice of an imaginative pre-teen trying to hold her world together.
- The arc
- Moves from the dizzying, terrifying thrill of a midnight escape to the crushing weight of adult realities, finally settling into a fragile but genuine hope.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave gritty, realistic contemporary fiction that tackles heavy domestic issues with a comforting undercurrent of warmth and survival.
Content notes
- domestic abuse
- poverty
- parental illness
- parentification
- child neglect
About the book
Another brilliantly crafted story of real family life from the prize-winning, children's favourite, Jacqueline Wilson - now with a new introduction and cover look!When Jayni, her mum and little brother have to run away from her abusive father, it starts off as a big adventure. They slip out at night, go up to London by train and stay in a hotel. They even make up false identities to protect their secret and Jayni becomes the glamorous-sounding Lola Rose. But when the money runs out and reality bites, is it still a game they should play?
Description from Open Library.
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