Double Decker -Double Act and Bad Girls

by Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt

Double Act. Ruby and Garnet are ten-year-old twins. They're identical, and they do EVERYTHING together, especially since their mother died three years earlier - but they couldn't be more different. Bossy, bouncy, funny Ruby loves to take charge, and is desperate to be a famous actress, while quiet, sensitive, academic Garnet loves nothing more than to curl up with one of her favourite books. And when everything around the twins is changing so much, can being a double act work for ever? Bad Girls. Shy, mild Mandy has been bullied at school for as long as she can remember. That's why she is delighted when cheeky, daring, full-of-fun Tanya picks her as a friend. Mum isn't happy - she thinks Tanya's a BAD GIRL and a bad influence on her daughter. But Mandy loves spending time with her brilliant new friend, and is sure Tanya can only get her out of trouble, not into it ...or could she?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Novels

Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Jacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.

One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.

Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.

Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!

In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Reviews

[Ashlynn White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is TONS better than story of Tracy Beacker.I am currently reading DOUBLE Act.I recommend this book to any twin and really any other GIRL (NO BOYS).

[Chelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book is very funny, though it can be quite sad at times.

[Beau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sounds good to me everyone recommends it

[Rachael Hewison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacqueline Wilson will always have a special place in my heart. I devoured her books when I was younger. She has a fantastic way of writing that is light-hearted but dealing with some very emotional issues.

This two story edition includes Double Act and Bad Girls. Double Act is about two twins called Ruby and Garnet who so clearly adore each other but are very different people and how they deal with their differences, as well as the unwelcome addition of their dad's new girlfriend. Wilson sets out the story very well, writing it as if it is a shared diary between the two girls so we get to hear first hand accounts from both.

Bad Girls is about a girl called Mandy who is being bullied at school. Her experience mirrored my own childhood; my best friends suddenly ganging up on me with the new girl. It brought back a lot of memories and it was fascinating to see how Mandy dealt with it as well as meeting Tanya who brings her own set of problems.

They are so interesting to read and the drawings really add a lot. I think Wilson's books should be read by all young adults to understand that life isn't always straightforward and that it's ok to be different.

[Lizette · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. What a lovely story. Goes to show that boys aren’t so bad, as in the Blob/ Jeremy character. Wonder if he can ever come back. But ruby and Garnet are like typical twin girls who gave eachothers backs. Make you wonder about bookshops now in this kindle world. But a must for all children.

[Alice Hannah Bates]

Good a mix of double act and bad girls

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Not the best and it's not one I'd want to read too often.

[Sheree Putt · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was ten years old my family went to London (and Scotland) for a trip. I remember getting this book and just devouring it (probably on the flight home, but who can remember). Today I was just thinking about it, wondering what that book was, and here it is! I don't want to forget again. :D Anyway, it is a great book for the tweenagers, or at least it was in 2000.

[Miwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I really liked the fact that they were really similar in appearance but had very different personalities. I liked Ruby more because I felt like I could connect to her. I recommend this book to ages 8 and up.

[Ayunda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two great stories. Very entertaining, fun, and full of adventure. I felt like Ruby and Garnet are my friends. Jacqueline Wilson made the story very interesting and fun.

[Ellieisabelrichards · Rating 5 out of 5]

its the best book ever

[Enni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double act 5/5, bad girls 3/5 wasnt ad great but a good read.

[Mustang · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think it was a cool book about twins who try to be a lot alike. one is trying to control the future, and the other is just tagging along.

-ng

[Soneynah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why dosent it let you read

[Zoe Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very interesting.