The authors writing perfectly encapsulated the innocence and young nature of the main character, Laura, expertly writing her character and capturing the confusion, whirlwind and uncertainty that was being a young, unmarried, pregnant girl in these times. The title to be read and discussed is sign-posted and on sale for the whole of the previous month (with a discount for those who make it known they intend to come) and everybody is welcome, whether first-timer, part-timer or regular-timer.

But to keep ourselves on our toes, we have a rule that author gender is alternated, girl-boy-girl-boy, and the continents always rotated (with occasional glitches). Laura comes across all sorts of girls here and they all share their tales and deal with the harsh opinions of older women and the realities of what having a baby this young can mean. But I don't think there's anything wrong with happy endings, especially in books for younger audiences.

One fantastic addition since the days when I was a YA were some notes from the author detailing how the ‘adult’ themes in the book and the access to help available . Never did I think upon reading this book that I would be so connected, invested and intensely engrossed as I was when I picked it up. I found the time Laura spent in the house of expectant mothers okay, it felt a bit like reading about boarding school but also dealing with the realities of parents who had shamed them and boys who had let them down.

I truly felt I was there and was so heartily routing for Laura, I had no idea if this was going to be a tragedy or not but can safely say my heart soared and was full by the end of reading this book. This book is dark but real and I was captivated by all of the themes surrounding the main plot (don’t worry I won’t give away any spoilers! It horrified me to think that no one had ever spoken to her about sex, even getting her period was a very short-lived conversation.I wish we could have found out what happened to all the other girls we encounter at the home, and the ending was a bit unrealistic, but Laura's story is a touching one nevertheless. Gripping, emotional and the novel also includes a series of help lines if anyone has been affected by incidents in the narrative. Laura’s defining quality is her love of literature: she mostly reads classics that have been left on her dad’s coach, mirroring her reality. This book was brilliant in that it showed the judgement and pressures of teenage pregnancy in the 1960's, then cleverly linking back to present date with an article at the end about sexual consent in the present day.

The tiny illustrations that accompany the beginning of chapters remind readers the tale follows a young girl, as Laura’s advanced literacy enables readers to forget her youth. A very excellent written novel that focus on the 1960s as a time zone but talks about topics still relevant to today. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. Laura’s life really illustrates the dangers of not explaining things to your child in an age-appropriate manner (her parents didn’t explain anything) but expecting them to be “chaste”.I find JW’s writing so easy to fall into, I am always immersed in the world and the characters, I definitely felt all the emotions.

The narrative totally draws you in and the storyline keeps you guessing where life will take Laura and Kathleen. Moreover, the story is followed by two notes from Adoption UK and the Schools Consent Project for anyone who may have been affected by the tale. I can’t understand how JW can completely understand teenage anxiety and make her characters come to life in such a fluid way. She makes bonds that get her through what will be the hardest time of her short life, but ultimately make her strong, resilient and determined to fight for what she feels is right.This book also ended by talking about the topic of consent and adoption, in partnership with two relevant charities. At only 14, still very naive and incredibly homesick, Laura meets other girls her mother would label "Rough," or "Tarts" or "Unsuitable," who in fact are caring, and friendly.