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Clean Break
Clean Break
Dec 16, 2025 10:34 PM

Author:Jacqueline Wilson,Nick Sharratt

Clean Break

Em adores her funny, glamorous dad - who cares if he's not her real father? He's wonderful to her, and to her little brother Maxie and sister Vita. True to form at Christmas, Dad gives them fantastic presents, including a real emerald ring for his little Princess Em.

Unfortunately he's got another surprise in store - he's leaving them. Will Dad's well-meaning but chaotic attempts to keep seeing Em and the other children help the family come to terms with this new crisis? Or would they be better off with a clean break - just like Em's arm?

Reviews

A brilliant writer of wit and subtlety

—— The Times

Hugely popular with seven to ten year olds: she should be prescribed for all cases of reading reluctance

—— Independent on Sunday

Has a rare gift for writing lightly and amusingly about emotional issues

—— The Bookseller

Jacqueline Wilson tackles another delicate subject that is close to many children's hearts

—— The Bookseller

Clean Break sometimes causes sniffles, but in places it's also humorous and is a wonderful read for children aged eight and upwards. Jacqueline Wilson has written plenty of books . . . This is her best one yet

—— Birmingham Evening Mail

Excellent story, hot characters. This one just rattles along, with beautiful dialect dialogue and family tensions. Teenage girls who pore over horoscopes and worry about boys will love this one!

—— Gatewaymonthly.com

Thought-provoking book with sensitivity, wit and warmth . . . Its admirable message comes wrapped in a fast-paced and exciting adventure story populated with well-rounded characters

—— Irish Times

'Thought-provoking ... strong second novel'

—— Bert Wright , Business Post

'A poignant, delicately composed novel that doesn't stint on the wreckage of violence.'

—— Irish Daily Mail

McKeon ... is a writer to watch. He conveys how people who cause harm can sometimes be victims, in their own way, and that takes skill. If you enjoy Colum Mcann's work, this novel is for you.'

—— Martina Devlin , Irish Independent

'... beautifully written, placed in those grey shadows between right and wrong and profound, terrible loss.'

—— Anne Cunningham , Sunday Independent

A beautifully crafted story about the legacy of trauma

—— Sarah Gilmartin , The Irish Times

A supreme storyteller

—— Robert Collins , The Sunday Times Ireland
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