The Story of Tracy Beaker, as its name suggests, is a diary entry featuring the inner world of a troubled little girl who goes by the name Tracy Beaker. This children’s novel written by English novelist Jacqueline Wilson was published in 1991 and has been vastly popular ever since. 

Why do you think Tracy loves imagining the return of the mother she never hears of? How does her imagination provide her with the comfort she lacks? What do her fantasies reflect about her desires as a child? 

How would you describe her as a person? Do you find Tracy likeable in general? Why and why not? Tracy was undeniably horrid at some points in the story. In your opinion, to what extent does her misfortune spare her from her wrongdoings and negative traits? How does this book give you a deeper understanding on the emotional challenges faced by children who are left behind?