The Story of Tracy Beaker

by Jacqueline Wilson
The Story of Tracy Beaker cover
Good Books rating 3.81
Children's Fiction
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Paperback • £7.99–£8.99 Hardback • £14.99
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Format • £7.59
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Technical
  • ID: 1708
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2026-01-06
  • ISBN: 9780440867579
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2006-11-28
  • Formats: 18
  • Reviews: 4

The Story of Tracy Beaker introduces readers to the spirited and resilient Tracy, a ten-year-old living in a Children's Home. Through her own words, Tracy shares her hopes, dreams, and daily adventures, offering a raw and honest look into her life. Her story is filled with humor and heart, as she navigates the challenges of her situation and dreams of finding a real family and home. /n/n Tracy's narrative is both touching and funny, providing a unique perspective on the foster care system and the resilience of children who find themselves in it. The book beautifully captures Tracy's voice and spirit, making her a character that readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-12-21
heartfelt 4.50

The Story of Tracy Beaker is praised for its emotional depth and social commentary, offering a vivid portrayal of a child in a care home. The book is seen as important for its realistic depiction of non-traditional family structures and its ability to resonate with young readers who may feel alone in their situations.

The Story of Tracy Beaker is celebrated for its heartfelt and honest portrayal of Tracy's life in a children's home. Reviewers appreciate Jacqueline Wilson's ability to tackle complex social issues with sensitivity, making the book a valuable read for young audiences. The narrative is particularly impactful for those who have experienced foster care or similar situations, as it provides a sense of connection and understanding. The book's use of illustrations and handwritten pieces adds a personal touch, making Tracy's story feel authentic and relatable. Overall, the book is seen as a powerful tool for educating children about different family dynamics and the challenges faced by those in care.

Quick quotes

    I love Jacqueline Wilson’s approach to social situations, and children not part of the ‘standard family’, which is mirrored in several of her books.

    Jacqueline Wilson shows that there are children who do not grow up with the 'traditional two parent family' to bring them up,

    The book also go some way to helping children in 'dysfunctional' family situations learn that they are not alone and relate to some of the things that Tracy does

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-21
amusing 4.00

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a biography/diary written by Tracy Beaker herself. Tracy has a unique and hilarious voice, full of funny and witty comments that make the book amusing. However, it also covers serious topics like abuse, neglect, and loneliness, making it both funny and sad. The light and amusing tone makes it suitable for children without being too heavy.

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a biography/diary written by Tracy Beaker herself. Tracy's unique and hilarious voice is filled with funny and witty comments that make the book highly amusing. The story covers many aspects of Tracy's life, including abuse, neglect, loneliness, and her longing to be fostered. This duality of humor and seriousness makes the book both entertaining and poignant. The light and amusing tone ensures it is suitable for children, as it balances the heavy topics with a touch of humor. The book is ideal for children aged 8-11 years old, but its charm and wit make it enjoyable for anyone who wants to read it.

Quick quotes

    Tracy has such a unique and hilarious voice and the book is full of funny, witty comments that had me giggling.

    This short story covers many aspects of Tracy's life, including abuse, neglect, loneliness and her longing to be fostered.

    Although Tracy's view of the world is very amusing, because of her past and the situation she is in, this book is also quite sad to read.

readings.com.au · Unknown · 2025-12-19
great 3.75

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a touching and often funny tale told from the perspective of a ten-year-old girl in a children's home. The book is written in diary form and offers a memorable cast of characters, with a special nod to orphan Peter, a shy boy with a heart of gold. The book is a great read for kids and one that parents won't mind getting through too.

The Story of Tracy Beaker is a heartwarming and humorous tale that follows the life of Tracy, a ten-year-old girl living in a children's home. The book is written in diary form and offers a unique perspective on Tracy's world, filled with memorable characters like Peter, a shy orphan with a heart of gold. The story is touching and often funny, with Tracy's vivid imagination and aspiring writer skills painting her as the unlucky party in most disputes. The book is a great read for kids and one that parents won't mind getting through too. The illustrations complement the text well, and the author has a great insight into the age group, making it a relatable and enjoyable read for young readers.

Quick quotes

    It’s funny how some books can still cast a spell on you.

    The book is written in diary form by Tracy and told from her inflated point of view, using her aspiring writer skills to dream up vivid scenarios and paint her to be the unlucky party in most disputes.

    Overall, a great read for kids and one that parents won’t mind getting through too.

beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-12
heartbreaking 3.00

The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson is a heartbreaking tale of a ten-year-old girl living in a group children's home, dealing with abandonment and behavioral issues. The book, while humorous at times, tackles very adult themes and left the reviewer feeling upset and unsure about recommending it.

The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson is a poignant and heartbreaking story that follows the life of Tracy, a ten-year-old girl living in a group children's home. The reviewer initially expected a light-hearted tale due to the book's bright and colorful cover, but was instead met with a deeply emotional narrative. Tracy's struggles with abandonment, abuse, and her desire for a loving family are central to the story. The reviewer found Tracy's behavioral issues to be a direct result of her traumatic past, making the story both upsetting and eye-opening. While the book is written for children, it deals with very adult themes, which the reviewer felt might not be suitable for young readers to tackle alone. The story's ending leaves hope for Tracy's future, but the reviewer was left feeling conflicted about whether to recommend the book due to its heavy content.

Quick quotes

    The reality was so much different. Perhaps if I had read this as a child, I would have identified with Tracy and found her to be plucky and funny. Reading this as an adult, however, I found the story absolutely heartbreaking.

    This book, while played for laughs, was really upsetting to me. Tracy’s behavioral issues obviously stem from her being abandoned and she clearly was not receiving the support she needed.

    I’m honestly not sure how to rate this or whether I would recommend it to others. I will say that it was eye-opening and the opposite of what I expected.

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