A Case for Jacqueline Wilson

When I was younger, I wasn’t allowed to read Jacqueline Wilson.

But what happens when you’re not allowed to do something? You do it in secret. So I was reading Jacqueline Wilson books from the school library from around Year 3 onwards.

When I reached High School, my mum said I was then old enough and she even bought me some. (This one was the first and is still my favourite!)

Jacqueline Wilson was a big part of my childhood. I loved reading (I still do!) and she introduced me to topics I hadn’t experienced, and this helped me to sympathise with those who had.

Why are parents calling for her books to be banned?

This article is being written in response to the dozens of articles I’ve read about the books being ‘inappropriate’ over the last week.

Mums Are Calling For Jacqueline Wilson Books To Be 'Banned From Children'

Some of what is being said is completely true. These books do need to be approached with a certain level of maturity!

I probably read some of these books when I was too young, but because I wasn’t allowed I didn’t have the opportunity to talk about what I had read.

Should children be allowed to read these books?

In short, yes. But only when they are of an age where they can understand the problem, and where they are able to discuss the books with an adult.

Some of the stories feature concepts relationships between children and teachers, which I think all would agree is not something to be promoted.

But by talking about problems, children (and adults) will be better equipped to deal with these very real day-to-day occurrences such as divorce, death and many more.