Secrets by Jacquline Wilson (written in 2002) is one of my childhood favourites. It deals with loneliness, bulling, dysfunctional families and domestic violence through the eyes of two young girls. Treasure lives with her blended family, her irresponsible mother and her abusive step father on the “rough” side of London. After her step father, Terry, finds Treasure’s “Offical Terry Torture Manuel” (her secret diary) he smacks her in the face with his belt and Treasure requires stitches.
Rita, her fabulous Nan, swoops in and saves the day by deciding Treasure is to live with her permanently. Now living in the common and infamous local council estate, Treasure finally is free of abuse and feels safe.
On the other side of town, India, is living with her famous children’s designer mother, her once loving but now distant father and the Australian au pair; India is desperate for a best friend. India has has no friends at school and is often ridiculed by her teaches and peers. The only person India feels truely close to is Anne Frank and her dairy. She is also a disappointment to her mother for being bigger than the other children her age and has India on a permanent diet. India’s father used to be her favourite person but he’s now distant and has exploding anger outbursts concerning money. India suspects her father and au pair are having an affair and struggles to find trust in adults.
It’s destiny that Treasure and India have the off chance of meeting and they click instantly. By the end of the day they are best friends with India regularly sneaking off after school to meet with Treasure. India knows how horrified her parents would act if they knew she’d been to the dispised Latimer Estate so Treasure is her special secret.
When trouble strikes in the form of stepfather Terry, Treasure is forced to run, or go back to living in an abusive household. With nowhere to go, frightened and alone, Treasure sets in search of her only friend, India.
Only by chance India, alone in her room, notices a familiar looking girl. It’s Treasure wandering the streets in the cold and dark. With inspiration from her heroine, Anne Frank, Treasure is hidden up in India’s attic, safe from Terry. Everything starts off well. But as Treasure’s asthma becomes concerning and wreaks havoc with her ability to breathe and stay calm the police are now added into the search for Treasure. With the police now involved it’s only a matter of time before Treasure is forced back into living with Terry and India loses her only friend in the world. Only the words of Anne Frank can give them any comfort through the daunting days.
I’ve loved and adored Jacquine Wilson since I was only nine. Her stories gave me great comfort and inspired me to read. India and Treasure may live on the opposite sides of The socioeconomic spectrum, but their lives run parallel; full of loneliness and uncertainty. Both girls faced very real problems felt by many. Jacqueline Wilson always captures the essence of childhood struggles perfectly, in a way that is understood by all.
Suitable from ages 10 and up.
4/5
Trigger warning: domestic abuse and bullying.
Thanks for reading! Any feedback is always welcome.
