The Bed and Breakfast Star
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2009) |
| The Bed and Breakfast Star | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Jacqueline Wilson |
| Illustrator | Nick Sharratt |
| Cover artist | Nick Sharratt |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English language |
| Genre(s) | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
| Publication date | 1994 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 208 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-440-86324-3. |
The Bed and Breakfast Star is a children's novel by British author Jacqueline Wilson.
Plot
Elsa is a bright and lively young girl who has dreams to become a comedienne. When her stepfather loses his job, her family, including her baby half-brother Hank and half-sister Pippa, are forced to move into a rundown bed and breakfast hotel that is used as accommodation for poor families. She doesn't get along with her stepfather, as he often loses his temper with her and hits her, so takes to spending time with her friend Naomi, with her little sister usually tagging along. Eventually her mother makes her attend the nearby school. Elsa has a hard time adjusting to the new circumstances and doesn't enjoy her new school, as she is behind in lessons so has to take extra classes. She frequently plays truant from school with boys from the hotel.
One night Elsa awakes to the smell of smoke, and upon investigating she discovers the hotel kitchen is on fire. Using her loud voice, she runs from to door to door, yelling to wake up all the residents. Everyone in the hotel makes it out safely, and Elsa has a chance to appear on television when a news reporter asks her how she woke up everyone up. As much of the hotel is damaged, Elsa's family and many others are given temporary accommodation in a much nicer hotel. Elsa finally has a chance to star on television when she is invited on a programme about courageous children.
Characters
Main
Elsa - A young girl who has experienced moving a lot when she was younger. She dreams of being a Comedienne when she is older, as she is always telling jokes, much to the annoyance of others. Elsa is good at looking after Pippa and adjusts to hotel life quickly. Her best friends are Naomi and Funny-face. Also she nicknames the hotel "The Oyal Htl".
Pippa - Elsa's younger half-sister who is four, nearly five. Early on in the book she copies Elsa and follows her around
Mack "the Smack" - Elsa's stepfather who is Scottish. Elsa calls him Mack the Smack because he frequently gets angry and hits her.
Mum - Elsa's unnamed mother who gets very depressed after moving to the Royal and worries a lot about her appearance
Naomi - Elsa's first friend and loves reading scary vampire books under the guise of Little Women and said she had been living in the Royal for six months, with her mother and younger brothers
"Funny-face" - A boy who is part of "The Famous Five" he laughs at Elsa's jokes and lives with his Mum on the fourth floor. He was never named.
Hank "the Hunk"- Elsa's baby half-brother who is overweight hence his nickname
Other
The Manager - The careless manger of The Royal Hotel
The "Bunny" Recepetionist - She wears fluffy sweaters and flirts with The Manager
Mrs "Hoover" Macpherson - The cleaner who likes Elsa and Pippa because they help out
"Simple" Simon - A boy who tags along with the famous five. His mother is rude and he is five
"The Famous Five" - The gang which Elsa hangs out with and plays truant everyday
Ms Fisher - Teacher of the special class in the local primary school
Nicky, Neil and Nathan - Naomi's younger brothers
Naomi's mum - Naomi's mum who is a really nice cook
The Switchboard - Isn't very helpful and enjoys Jackie Collins and sweets
