Love Lessons

Jacqueline Wilson

Sep 2008 · Random House

About this ebook

Fourteen-year-old Prue and her sister Grace have been educated at home by their controlling, super-strict father all their lives. Forced to wear Mum's odd hand-made garments and forbidden from reading teenage magazines, they know they're very different to 'normal' girls - but when Dad has a stroke and ends up in hospital, unable to move or speak, Prue suddenly discovers what it's like to have a little freedom.

Sent to a real school for the first time, Prue struggles to fit in. The only person she can talk to is her kindly, young - and handsome - art teacher, Rax. They quickly bond, and Prue feels more and more drawn to him. As her feelings grow stronger, she begins to realise that he might feel the same way about her. But nothing could ever happen between them - could it?

Ratings and reviews

I think this book gives young people the wrong idea about crushes on teachers. I have read many other reviews that say 'in my version the ending was different' which suggests that they got Prue and Rax together. I think that is wrong! Anyone over 18 cannot have a romantic relationship with those under 18 as it is classed as PERVERT and PORNOGRAPHY. It disturbed me of what Jacqueline was thinking of when she wrote this book. Prue could've been a great character if the plot had been different. I think this book gives the wrong idea to all readers- it makes them think that student-teacher relationships are acceptable, which it isn't. Overall I gave this book 1 star because the plot and the ideas it suggested were unacceptable and inappropriate to be in a young peoples book.

This book has an excellent and realistic depiction of a controlling father, but I can't give it more than two stars. It's teeming with victim blaming nonsense and at the end, a deux ex machina saves the day. It's possible to write about how complex students crushing on teachers can be without resorting to that old chestnut that teenage girls are precocious, manipulative sirens who lead grown men into pedophilia against their will. This very clearly was TRYING to be complex and daring, but it just fell into the same victim blaming that always happens when teachers groom students. Disappointing. And from an author who usually deals with moral complexity so well!

I read this a while back, and since then have never been able to read another of her books again. It's a shame as I had proper collection, but, at least I can pass it on to a sibling. I just didn't like this book, I am a believer that love has no limits and all that, but this was just....... Gah.. Sorry, but it's not one of those books for me!

About the author

Jacqueline Wilson (Author)
Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain’s bestselling and most beloved children’s authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.

As well as winning many awards for her books, including the Children’s Book of the Year, Jacqueline is a former Children’s Laureate, and in 2008 she was appointed a Dame.

Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings.

Find out more about Jacqueline and her books at www.jacquelinewilson.co.uk

Nick Sharratt (Illustrator)
Nick Sharratt has written and illustrated many books for children including Shark in the Park, You Choose and Pants. He has won numerous awards for his picture books, including the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the 2001 Children's Book Award. He has also enjoyed stellar success illustrating Jacqueline Wilson's books. Nick lives in Hove.