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Step by Wicked Step
On a wild and stormy night, five students are sent ahead on a school trip. Gathered together in a spooky mansion, they find a secret room and a mysterious old diary. Little do they know that they share a common They are all members of stepfamilies. And each person reveals his story...step by step.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 1996
17 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Anne Fine
391 books285 followersThough readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)
Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.
Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 21, 2024
This book is one of the literature component for secondary school in Malaysia. Although I'm not using it at my school, at least as a teacher I should know the story. Therefore, I read it. In my opinion, this novel aren't not the best among those novels assinged for form 5 but it wasn't the worst. Its quite interesting but I think students in my school will not be able to imagine the setting in this novel. If we are going to do it, teachers have to show them using teaching aids like pictures and videos. The novel also contains a lot of flashbacks and difficult words(for form5 in my school to be specified). However, it is a good story and overall, I like it.
September 18, 2025
Four children find themselves stuck for the night in an old house on a dark and stormy night. They find an old diary about a boy who went through difficult family circumstances, and so they get talking, realising they all have one thing in common: having two home addresses. They share their stories and grow through the telling.
Essentially, therefore, a set of short stories, this is a book that is interesting and clearly written to be helpful for children in similar situations, or for helping children understand those who are.
Anne Fine (who also goes by other pseudonyms) has written a stunning number of excellent and frequently hilarious children's books, always touching on important subjects, and doing so sensitively. This is in that tradition. It is a good book, but it won't be my favourite from her. She has written funnier and more emotionally resonant tales, but this one is still a great addition to her canon.
Essentially, therefore, a set of short stories, this is a book that is interesting and clearly written to be helpful for children in similar situations, or for helping children understand those who are.
Anne Fine (who also goes by other pseudonyms) has written a stunning number of excellent and frequently hilarious children's books, always touching on important subjects, and doing so sensitively. This is in that tradition. It is a good book, but it won't be my favourite from her. She has written funnier and more emotionally resonant tales, but this one is still a great addition to her canon.
November 25, 2020
This is a really sweet middle-grade novel about a bunch of kids that all have step-parents. Even though I don't, I feel like it was written really realistically about blended families and the benefits and downfalls to them.
February 5, 2013
i tend to prefer Fine's adult novels (because when not writing for children you can let rip with the amoral and the nasty, and you don't have to include a moral) but i always enjoy the comedy in her children's books. which is to say that i liked Ralph's story the most, with the labelled lunchboxes and the subversive (third) stepmother. but its portmanteau design means there's something for everyone.
March 10, 2021
Anne Fine writes a lot of books about children with separated parents. This was very handy to me when I was 12 and I first discovered her books, as I was sure my parents were on the brink of divorce and I didn't know what to do with myself. So I read all the Fine books about children from broken homes I could get from my school library (including the classic Doubtfire, Goggle Eyes, and this book).
And when my parents did split about a year and a half later I was about as prepared as I could be- so prepared, in fact, that that I wasn't fazed at all until my mum told me she wanted me to leave my home and school behind and come live with her, 6 hours away from all my friends.
I think it's very important for books like this to be written, and I'll be forever glad to Anne Fine for writing them.
And when my parents did split about a year and a half later I was about as prepared as I could be- so prepared, in fact, that that I wasn't fazed at all until my mum told me she wanted me to leave my home and school behind and come live with her, 6 hours away from all my friends.
I think it's very important for books like this to be written, and I'll be forever glad to Anne Fine for writing them.
November 30, 2020
A re read
I adore Anne Fine’s books and this is a favourite: five stories of coming to terms with blended families. One of the things that makes Fine’s work stand out is the vivid portrayals of adults as actual people. It just appendages, and in this book, it’s one of the lessons that the children learn.
I adore Anne Fine’s books and this is a favourite: five stories of coming to terms with blended families. One of the things that makes Fine’s work stand out is the vivid portrayals of adults as actual people. It just appendages, and in this book, it’s one of the lessons that the children learn.
May 24, 2021
It was not what I expected when I borrowed it from the library. I was expecting some wicked haunting/horror story. That being said, even though I got a completely different story I thoroughly enjoyed it. Those stories children said about their lives were really heart-touching. That's the problem with adults sometimes, they don't think about what their action will cause to the children.
October 28, 2022
The story of four young kids who think they have absolutely nothing in common but find out they have one thing in common. Stuck for the night in an old house, they find an old diary that gets them talking. By sharing their stories and their feelings they are able to listen and help each other.
January 23, 2020
I listened to this book as an audiobook cassette tape on a road trip as a kid, and it's stuck in my head for well over 15 years, so it must has been enjoyable. I need to read it again.
March 26, 2023
Great children’s book. I recommended it to a few of my students when they were going through a tough time. Like me, they really enjoyed reading it and it got some of them into reading.
April 12, 2023
3.5🌟 An easy read about many different “step” situations in families.
October 17, 2023
The Breakfast Club for middle schoolers
January 5, 2024
A group of children find them selves sharing a room in an old house, and share stories of their experiences with stepmothers, stepfathers, stepsiblings etc.
November 27, 2024
This was a good YA book featuring stories about blended family living arrangements, and all the ups and downs that it entails.
July 12, 2025
Just the best book ever. No big deal. Read it tho
February 26, 2015
3 years ago, I used to share a class with the 17 year-olds in my school.
One day, when I decided to rummage through the locker in my desk, I found a book called "step by wicked step". Being the busybody that I was, I decided to read that book during my free time. It took me about 2 days to finish that book as I couldn't take it home with me because it wasn't mine.
I remember thinking that it was a good book.
Fast forward to this year, I found out that the students at my school used to read "the phantom of the opera" for their literature classes. At first I thought: the education ministry should've just stuck with "the phantom of the opera" instead of giving us the type of books only elementary students would read, but then again maybe it was a good thing that they made that decision since I've realised that a majority of the boys in my school can't read about love or romance without laughing or making insensitive jokes. And let me tell ya something: this book is a great replacement.
5 students who got together because they shared the same thing in common shared their stories as the night slowly progressed. Claudia and her stepmom ; Colin and his stepdad ; Pixie and her stepmom and stepsisters ; Robbo's sister and her stepdad ; As for Ralph, well, he didn't experience much heartbreak and was okay with his stepmoms. All the heartbreak were laid out that night, and advices as well as scoldings were exchanged.
All in all, this was a fun read for me although I did get depressed a few times due to how depressed the characters themselves were. That should be a good thing though. It shows that the author was able to connect her reader with the characters she made, and believe it or not but connections like that are sort of the key to a well-liked book. The writing style was fine too, nothing too profound that even a 17 year-old wouldn't be able to understand. Honestly, I don't know why some of the people on this site found this book to be rather boring. Try reading "catch us if you can" and you'll understand the true meaning of boring.
One day, when I decided to rummage through the locker in my desk, I found a book called "step by wicked step". Being the busybody that I was, I decided to read that book during my free time. It took me about 2 days to finish that book as I couldn't take it home with me because it wasn't mine.
I remember thinking that it was a good book.
Fast forward to this year, I found out that the students at my school used to read "the phantom of the opera" for their literature classes. At first I thought: the education ministry should've just stuck with "the phantom of the opera" instead of giving us the type of books only elementary students would read, but then again maybe it was a good thing that they made that decision since I've realised that a majority of the boys in my school can't read about love or romance without laughing or making insensitive jokes. And let me tell ya something: this book is a great replacement.
5 students who got together because they shared the same thing in common shared their stories as the night slowly progressed. Claudia and her stepmom ; Colin and his stepdad ; Pixie and her stepmom and stepsisters ; Robbo's sister and her stepdad ; As for Ralph, well, he didn't experience much heartbreak and was okay with his stepmoms. All the heartbreak were laid out that night, and advices as well as scoldings were exchanged.
All in all, this was a fun read for me although I did get depressed a few times due to how depressed the characters themselves were. That should be a good thing though. It shows that the author was able to connect her reader with the characters she made, and believe it or not but connections like that are sort of the key to a well-liked book. The writing style was fine too, nothing too profound that even a 17 year-old wouldn't be able to understand. Honestly, I don't know why some of the people on this site found this book to be rather boring. Try reading "catch us if you can" and you'll understand the true meaning of boring.
December 14, 2015
This book was compulsory reading for my class so I read it while I was babysitting my siblings at a convention. There I was, pushing a pram down an aisle of shop stands, quietly bawling my eyes out.
Simply written yet full of depth and character, this book was written as a story to relate to. If you didn't like this book, chances were it was because none of the stories spoke to you, which is - I mean, good for you, you've probably had a decent family life. If you did relate to this book in some way, the story is brutal.
The strength of this book is in how real the stories are. They could be about anybody, happen to anyone. For me, the most touching story was by Colin, which is also the most heart breaking one, if none of the others affected you. I love the mention of the Bluebird of Happiness. If you know the song or the play, the mention will hit you hard. Colin uses it as a reason for his desire to find his father, but the use of the phrase is more than that: it relates to everybody's stories in the most poignant way.
I must say though, this theme might be a little complex for Malaysian secondary school reading. Just saying.
Simply written yet full of depth and character, this book was written as a story to relate to. If you didn't like this book, chances were it was because none of the stories spoke to you, which is - I mean, good for you, you've probably had a decent family life. If you did relate to this book in some way, the story is brutal.
The strength of this book is in how real the stories are. They could be about anybody, happen to anyone. For me, the most touching story was by Colin, which is also the most heart breaking one, if none of the others affected you. I love the mention of the Bluebird of Happiness. If you know the song or the play, the mention will hit you hard. Colin uses it as a reason for his desire to find his father, but the use of the phrase is more than that: it relates to everybody's stories in the most poignant way.
I must say though, this theme might be a little complex for Malaysian secondary school reading. Just saying.
August 21, 2015
This book is bland and boring to read. The story isn't convincing or captivating at all, there are little descriptions of the places they are in. This book lacks detail. The characters are so unreal, they are very miserable and depressed, their stories are so confusingly stupid and they would still argue and judge another's decisions. The author made no attempt to write a good book. Fictional works are supposed to teach and entertain readers, I learned that there are wicked books with zombified stories to bore students out of their mind and I felt the inverse of entertainment reading this book.
Overall, it was an agonizing read I had to force myself to finish it while I had other better books tempting me to burn this one. It might be entertaining if I read it 10 years ago. Malaysia's ministry of education is going all out to torture students with this book.
My Rating -5/5
Overall, it was an agonizing read I had to force myself to finish it while I had other better books tempting me to burn this one. It might be entertaining if I read it 10 years ago. Malaysia's ministry of education is going all out to torture students with this book.
My Rating -5/5
September 19, 2012
Six main characters, Richard, Claudia, Pixie, Robbo, Colin and Ralph came from broken homes, and the book revolves around the kids upon solving ways they solved their family relationship problems. Except Richard of course, who at first props me with a lot of questions about his link to the five kids besides having a broken family, and my questions are still not resolved.
What annoys me was that there was never a proper conclusion to this book. Like what was the real reason the kids are categorized together by Miss O'Dell, in fact, all of my questions were answered by blind guesses. But it was an easy read for me.
What annoys me was that there was never a proper conclusion to this book. Like what was the real reason the kids are categorized together by Miss O'Dell, in fact, all of my questions were answered by blind guesses. But it was an easy read for me.
February 7, 2017
well, it might be a fun book to read if it isn't a mandatory for students to read. ( my country's education system used to require most of all secondary students to read this book.)
It's an average novel. Nothing is exciting. Really. The concept is interesting but the story isn't. I wanted to give up on this book but I CAN'T. Ironic, i had reread for half a dozen times cause I needed to remember the whole details of story.
Yet, i believe that this novel does give us some advises. Not all stepparents are evil and kids are much wiser than we thought. They just have different points of view.
It's an average novel. Nothing is exciting. Really. The concept is interesting but the story isn't. I wanted to give up on this book but I CAN'T. Ironic, i had reread for half a dozen times cause I needed to remember the whole details of story.
Yet, i believe that this novel does give us some advises. Not all stepparents are evil and kids are much wiser than we thought. They just have different points of view.
December 13, 2015
I got confused towards to the end of the book, and could not figure out which story belongs to which kid, but I thoroughly enjoyed each child's tale. I love how the stories are told from the child's perspective and some observations by the kids really stood out for me. Like how adults are not really listening when kids are saying something, they are just "softening" the child up so they will be more open to the adult's suggestion, we are definitely all guilty of that! It feels like a depressing read at first, but being a children fiction after all, everything ends up well at the end. The lesson to Colin in the last chapter is what we should take away from the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2014
I very much enjoyed this book because I really connected with each of the characters, without getting swamped with too much information and too many stories at once - Anne Fine managed to clearly explain each of the children's stories. I also liked the balance of genres in this short book; there was a bit of horror and spookiness, some comedy (especially with Ralph's story) and a few passages which saddened the heart. In all, I would recommend this book to any level of reader and know that they would enjoy it as much as I did!
September 1, 2025
I don't participately have many thoughts about this book.
The characters felt really realistic. However they could get really annoying and I feel for the parents so much. Saying that the characteristics of the characters is very similar to children in this situation. Therefore it seems very realistic.
Each story was different and individual to each characters. This book would be a read for children with step-parents to show them they are not alone. This is a really important messaged that the book spreads.
This book was quite enjoyable and well written.
The characters felt really realistic. However they could get really annoying and I feel for the parents so much. Saying that the characteristics of the characters is very similar to children in this situation. Therefore it seems very realistic.
Each story was different and individual to each characters. This book would be a read for children with step-parents to show them they are not alone. This is a really important messaged that the book spreads.
This book was quite enjoyable and well written.
January 1, 2012
This is a short read and it's suitable for children . In my opinion,it's very simple and short . Each child has his or her own stories of stepfather , stepmother,stepsister etc ... It would be a great book for children . There aren't any climax or exciting events , but I still like it . I actually expected it to be adventurous and haunting as the children discovered a secret chamber (sort of) .The book would be more interesting if the author elaborated on Richard Harwick .
March 1, 2011
The school trip to old hardwick hall is ready to start and Miss O'dell picks 5 pupils names from a special column to fill the overflow minibus. The children all have a second telephone number in case of an emergency. During the night at the hall each child tells their story. They all have a step parent. One person tells a story but everyone says its really his sisters story.
May 15, 2011
I have to read this for my english class and although I find the topic about the book a tad weird (it's about 5 children on a field trip with one similarity: broken homes) It's a fast read and I actually enjoyed it. Makes you really wonder, if you were stuck between crosswords what would you have done? Run away or stay and fight.
December 9, 2011
I got that book when I was 7 years old. now that I'm 21 years old, I still find myself reading it, it comforts me. It's a good book for a child. Perhaps I gave it such a good rating because I feel emotionally attached to it.
The diary entries are the reason why I love that book. The rest of the content is crap.
The diary entries are the reason why I love that book. The rest of the content is crap.
June 26, 2014
It was really good for a children's book actually. I just think it could've gone further than that. The story could've been elaborated more. The ending just didn't feel complete. I mean i wanna know what happened to those kids damn it! No closure. Nothing. It had potential though. I sort of fell in love with Ralph's story!
April 21, 2016
I studied this novel back in my final year in secondary school. It is not an outstanding book that would make a secondary school student love literature. The language used is simple and plain, nothing captivating at all. It's a young adult novel about how five schoolchildren have managed to cope in their broken families. Overall, plain book.
November 18, 2015
I actually did really enjoy this book. It was my school's literature read for my year of students and despite it being depressing at some points if the story, I did really enjoy the fun bits as well. It was nice to see 6 different stories based on children with broken families and to be able to go through the many different emotions that they experienced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews