Lola Rose

Title: Lola Rose
Author: Jacqueline Wilson
Published: 2003
Genre: Tween, Contemporary, Family
My Rating: 4 out of 5

Jayni, her mother Nikki and her younger brother Kenny run away from her violent father after winning £10000 from a scratchie. Living in a hotel, spending the money open handily, Jayni, Nikki and Kenny create new identities for themselves. As soon as the money begins to run out, Nikki and her children find shelter in a council apartment.

In a new place at a new school, Jayni, who is now the confident Lola Rose, becomes best friends with Harpreet, an Indian girl. At home, Jayni is forced to be the responsible one, watching out after her reckless mother and mothering Kenny.
Just as Lola Rose and her family’s life began to settle down, it is discovered her mother has breast cancer.

Luckily though, there is Auntie Barbara, Nikki’s sister, to be the caring, sensible and stable person Lola Rose and Kenny need.



I’ve read this book before, two years ago, and I love it just as much. Jayni is a relatable character, even if she is a preteen girl. She is mature and responsible, since her mother isn’t. The problems she faces are the usual: bullying, body image and family problems. But the way she overcomes her troubles really does make Jayni likeable. As an older sister and daughter myself, I really could understand Jayni’s predicament with her father and her relationship with her mother.
Jayni’s mother, on the other hand, was not likeable. She seemed very selfish and immature, when she is the adult. She dealt with her illness horribly, an although she does love her children, her actions didn’t seem too loving. She has rows with everyone and anyone, and cannot seem to understand her husband really is a wife-beater until Jayni was punched by him. Then did she realise she has to escape with the children.

Note: I actually listened to the book, on a ‘playaway’- mp3 players containing only the book.