Sleepovers (book)

Sleepovers

Author	Jacqueline Wilson
Illustrator	Nick Sharratt
Cover artist	Nick Sharratt
Language	English
Publication date	2001
Media type	Hardcover
Pages	112
ISBN	978-0385601818

Sleepovers is a 2001 children's novel by the English writer Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt.^[1]

Plot[]

The story is about a girl called Daisy and her friends at her new school (in alphabetical order): Amy, Bella, Chloe, Daisy, and Emily (aka The Alphabet Girls). Each girl has their birthday coming up consecutively, they all decide that a sleepover party would be a good idea. All the girls are very nice, Chloe however is very spoiled and starts to boss everyone into her ideas and especially torment Daisy, this then enables a sudden fear that Lily (Daisy's disabled 11 year old sister) would trigger further torment from Chloe.

At Amy's girly sleepover they enjoy lots of dancing, singing, painting their nails together and having a midnight feast. Daisy helps Emily who gets sick and wishes Emily could be her best friend despite that Emily is Chloe's. For Bella's sleepover she takes them all swimming which they all have fun. They then have a huge tea at Bella's and a blue birthday cake in the shape of a swimming pool. Bella's parents sleep in the spare room and allows the girls to all sleep in their big double bed together. For Emily's sleepover they all play football then all go to the park for a picnic but Chloe pushes Daisy out the car causing Daisy to scrape her knees and lies that it was an accident. Emily kindly lets Daisy share her bed and their friendship grows. Chloe tries to not invite Daisy to her sleepover party by falsely claiming her "Mum" won't let her have four invites, but Emily, Amy and Bella refuse to come unless Daisy comes too causing an argument between them. In the end Chloe gives in and lets Daisy come. At Chloe's party they make pizzas but Chloe sabotages Daisy's pizza by covering it with anchovies which Daisy hates. They then watch very scary horror movies which causes Daisy to stay awake all night in fear.

Daisy is afraid of having a sleepover party herself as she fears the girls will be uncomfortable about her sister Lily. She tells her Dad about Chloe and he suggests not inviting her but her Mum insists it's only fair since Daisy went to Chloe's. When Amy, Bella and Emily meet Lily they are very understanding and kind about her. Chloe is very gloomy and rude when they all play party games together with Daisy's Dad. The girls all sleep in a big tent in the garden and have a lot of fun. Chloe wakes Daisy in the middle of the night to take her to the loo. When they get upstairs, Lily, who is awake, wails loudly upon hearing them and scares Chloe, causing her to wet herself and she decides to return home that night.

When the girls see Chloe again back at school she tells rumours about Lily being a maniac baby. Emily, Amy and Bella stand up for Daisy and Lily and claim that Chloe is the baby. Chloe angrily breaks up with them and goes off with another gang of girls. From then on, the girls go around as a foursome and Emily becomes Daisy's best friend.

Characters[]

• Daisy The main character of the story and a very nice girl who quite new to the school and likes art. She creates "The Alphabet Girls" for the girls. She is also protective of her disabled sister Lily.
• Amy A sweet girl who loves to perform dances and apply make up.
• Bella A very fun girl who loves chocolate and cake. She never ever feels sick even when she eats so much.
• Chloe The main antagonist who is spoiled by her proud parents. She is a cruel, bossy bully who thinks she can have anything she wants. She takes a dislike to Daisy and constantly torments her, calling her "Daisy Diddums."
• Emily A polite girl who loves football. She was originally Chloe's best friend, but grows closer to Daisy throughout the story.
• Lily Lily is Daisy's older sister whose brain was damaged when she was born and unable to walk or talk. Despite Daisy feeling initially resentful towards her, she genuinely loves Lily and cares greatly for her.

References[]