The Suitcase Kid

by Jacqueline Wilson
The Suitcase Kid cover
Good Books rating 4.06
Children's Fiction
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Paperback • £7.99
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  • ID: 1710
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-11-11
  • ISBN: 9780440867739
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2006-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

When a young girl's parents split up, she finds herself living out of a suitcase, alternating weeks between her mother's new family and her father's. This heartwarming story captures the emotional journey of a child caught in the middle of a divorce, longing for the stability of her old home. With her beloved toy rabbit, Radish, she tries to make sense of her new reality, finding solace in small comforts and the love of her family./n/nThe Suitcase Kid is a beloved classic by Jacqueline Wilson, now featuring an extra-special new introduction. This touching narrative explores themes of family, change, and resilience, making it a relatable and comforting read for young audiences.

Reviews
BBook Inspector · 2021-12-15
moving 3.50

This book is thin but carries a lot of hurt and sadness, making it a powerful read. The reviewer acknowledges the emotional weight of the story, which many children experiencing divorce can relate to.

The reviewer notes that while the book is short, it packs a significant emotional punch. They appreciate how the story captures the hurt and sadness that children often experience during their parents' divorce. The reviewer finds the book's simplicity charming but acknowledges that it deals with heavy themes. They believe the book's emotional depth makes it a meaningful read for young audiences, providing a relatable and moving exploration of family issues.

Quick quotes

    This book is quite thin, but it carries a lot of hurt and sadness.

    Many children experience divorce these days.

    The book's simplicity is charming but it deals with heavy themes.

Eustacia Tan · Eustacia Tan · 2020-07-07
thoughtful 4.25

This is a thoughtful and moving story that Jacqueline Wilson has crafted. It's a book that many will find relatable and touching.

Eustacia Tan found the book to be another thoughtful and moving story from Jacqueline Wilson. She appreciates how the author handles the sensitive topic of divorce and its impact on children. Tan notes that the story is relatable and touching, making it a valuable read for young audiences. She also highlights the book's ability to capture the emotional turmoil of a child caught in a custody battle, making it a standout read. Tan recommends the book highly, praising its emotional depth and relatable characters.

Quick quotes

    I'd definitely recommend this book. It's another thoughtful story and moving story from Jacqueline Wilson.

    The story is relatable and touching, making it a valuable read for young audiences.

    The book captures the emotional turmoil of a child caught in a custody battle, making it a standout read.

HWRK Magazine · Jon Love · 2019-09-02
thoughtful 4.00

This novel tracks Andy's journey through the custody process with sensitivity and insight. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to tackle complex family issues in a way that resonates with young readers.

Jon Love, an English teacher, delves into the emotional journey of Andy as she navigates the aftermath of her parents' divorce. He praises the book for its sensitive handling of the custody process and the way it portrays Andy's experiences with a family counsellor. Love finds the story both moving and insightful, highlighting how it addresses the confusion and guilt that children often feel in such situations. He believes the book's approach makes it a valuable read for both children and adults, offering a compassionate perspective on family dynamics.

Quick quotes

    This diminutive novel tracks Andy from the early aftermath of the split and having to see a family counsellor right through the custody process.

    The book's approach makes it a valuable read for both children and adults, offering a compassionate perspective on family dynamics.

    It addresses the confusion and guilt that children often feel in such situations.

The Guardian · 2014-03-23
brilliant 4.50

This book is brilliant but also quite sad, particularly because Andy's parents don't understand the difficulty she faces. The emotional depth makes it a standout read.

This review highlights the brilliance of the book, noting its emotional depth and the way it portrays Andy's struggles. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to convey the complexity of family dynamics and the impact of divorce on children. They find it particularly moving how the story captures Andy's feelings of being caught in the middle, making it a poignant and memorable read. The sadness is balanced by the book's charm and the way it handles difficult subjects with sensitivity.

Quick quotes

    This is a brilliant book, even though it's quite sad, especially that Andy's parents don't realise how difficult life it must be for her being ...

    The emotional depth makes it a standout read.

    The story captures Andy's feelings of being caught in the middle, making it a poignant and memorable read.

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