Double Act

Product Information

Dari beberapa buku Jacqueline Wilson yang aku baca, beliau memang sering menulis dengan latar belakang keluarga "tidak sempurna" , bagaimana anak-anak menghadapi masalah ditengah keluarga seperti itu dan bagaimana orang tua dan lingkungan menyikapinya mungkin bisa menjadi semacam masukan. 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. Leaving Gran behind, having a new stepmother,moving in with her and of course Garnet going to a new private school! Then her dad suddenly announced that they where moving to the country with ROSE, and that there Nan is going to be put in a home.

She and Garnet start off well in school, but once Garnet makes a new friend, Ruby sulks and Garnet quickly changes to stop her feeling upset. As a child I was never a big fan of the Jacquline Wilson books; I found her “matter-of-fact” attitude towards reality somewhat bleak. Wilson is great at making realistic characters that you can quickly come to term with, giving realistic reactions to events. What I didn’t like about this book: I felt that there was maybe too many issues being addressed in this book: the death of their mother at a young age, leaving their grandmother, their friends and school to move somewhere new and their Dad meeting someone new and moving in with her.She encourages them when Ruby announces her plan to go to the audition with Garnet, only it is Richard who foils everything this time. Surprisingly, Rose is supportive, although her efforts are for nothing, Ruby plots and succeeds in them running away to London for the audition. Publishers Weekly described it as "an unexceptional mix of familiar plot devices" and recommended it (or did not) for readers age 9 to 12. Since the death of their mother, the girls have become closer than ever, safe in their closed little world.

Actually, speaking as an adult, it's much easier to see what a complete and utter piece of shit the father is, too.

The two have always been close despite their differences- Ruby is social, and keen to let her opinions be heard, while introverted Garnet is content to let Ruby dominate their relationship. After making friends with someone she previously considered rather a bully, Ruby starts to realize that she and Garnet don't need to be the same, and don't have to do the same things, to be happy.

Because of that comparison in my head I didn’t feel this book shone as much as it could have; if I hadn’t already read Vicky Angel I may have enjoyed this more. Ruby and Garnet love each other very much and starts writing about themselves and events from their life in a book found at home, so that when in the future they become famous they can look at it. Despite their father's early hesitation to the idea, he encourages Garnet to go ahead with the school after it is revealed that she won the scholarship. The television film was made in 2001 for Channel 4 and aired in 2002, starring Birmingham twins, Zoe and Chloe Tempest-Jones. Thank to the entire family Ruby, the strong character decided to change "the book" to a Memorandum where she realize that her sister do not need to be the same, and consequently they do not have to do the same things, to be happy.As the first could lead to a revenge attack involving the twins switching places during a prison visit sometime in a blissfully unaware future, the second option is tidier and ties up all loose ends. Ruby is the one who is elder by 20 minutes and shows dominance in her behaviour but she is highly protective of Garnet. What I liked about this book: I liked having the two sides to the story, both Ruby and Garnet sharing their thoughts and opinions on the different events in the book. Her insightful and emotionally challenging books not only stretch reading ability, but give young readers a glimpse into many kinds of lives. My phone started updating just as I was proofreading my review, which promptly disappeared, so this is my second go, and it's going to be brief now since I want to go to sleep!

Close to the end of the book the story took a big turn that was very sudden but it was very satisfying.Garnet is deeply disturbed and decides not to go but Ruby reminds her that even if she doesnt go to the boarding school, Ruby and Garnet will not be the same again. I have lost track of how many times I have read it but I still continue to because it's a Jacqueline Wilson book and you can read her books over and over again! It is a tale of what happens to close friends when you start to leave childhood behind and move towards your teenage years. It is about twins named Ruby and Garnet, Ruby is quite bossy and confident while her sister Garnet is quiet and shy. To expand, there is also a movie (which I’ve watched) but I personally think that the movie is better than the book because you can see what the author is talking about.