Book description
London, 1876. Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her mother
leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned
children - but Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is
big enough to go to school.
Life in the countryside is sometimes hard, but with her foster
brothers, Jem and Gideon, Hetty helps in the fields and plays vivid
imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling
circus, and Hetty is mesmerised by the show - especially the stunning
Madame Adeline and her performing horses.
But Hetty's happiness is threatened once more when she must return
to the Foundling Hospital to begin her education. The new life of
awful uniforms and terrible food is a struggle for her, and she
desperately misses her beloved Jem. But now she has the chance to find
her real mother. Could she really be the wonderful Madame Adeline? Or
will Hetty find the truth is even more surprising?
Jacqueline Wilson will surprise and delight old fans and new with
this utterly original historical novel. Featuring a brand-new feisty
Victorian heroine, Hetty Feather, this is a compelling, moving, funny
and totally fascinating Tracy Beaker-esque tale that will thrill and
captivate readers.
JACQUELINE WILSON is an extremely well-known and hugely popular
author who served as Children's Laureate from 2005-7. She has been
awarded a number of prestigious awards, including the British
Children's Book of the Year and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award
(for The Illustrated Mum), the Smarties Prize and the
Children's Book Award (for Double Act, for which she was also
highly commended for the Carnegie Medal). In 2002 Jacqueline was given
an OBE for services to literacy in schools and in 2008 she was
appointed a Dame. She was the author most borrowed from British
libraries in the last decade.
'A brilliant writer of wit and subtlety' THE TIMES
'She should be prescribed for all cases of reading reluctance'
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
'Has a rare gift for writing lightly and amusingly about emotional
issues' BOOKSELLER
