Queenie

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

It's 1953, the year Elizabeth is to be crowned Queen of England. Elsie Kettle can't wait to go to London to see the celebrations on Coronation Day. Elsie lives with her Nan - her mum works as a showgirl, so she's not around very often. Spirited and imaginative, but often lonely, Elsie longs for a best friend. Luckily, she and Nan are very close; Elsie just wishes she was allowed a cat to keep her company sometimes. Then tragedy strikes. Nan and Elsie both fall ill with tuberculosis, and Elsie finds herself whisked away to the children's ward of the hospital. Confined to bed for months on end, Elsie finds it very hard to adapt to the hospital's strict regime. But she invents astonishing ways of entertaining the other children on the ward, and for the first time finds herself surrounded by true friends - including Queenie, the hospital's majestic white cat. Finally, Elsie is well enough to leave hospital. But before she does, she has one very special, very unexpected visitor... 22nd April 1953 Miltree Orthopaedic Hospital Dear Nan, It's been weeks and weeks since I arrived at Miltree and I don't like it here one little bit. The boy in the next bed is horrid and Nurse Patterson has really got it in for me. Thank goodness I have my lovely Nurse Gabriel and Queenie, the beautiful hospital cat. She's my very best friend on the children's ward and she's curled up on my tummy right now, purring away. The doctors say my knee is mending but it's hateful being stuck in bed all day. I do hope your cough is getting better too. Nan, I miss you so much. But maybe we'll both be well again in time to go to the Coronation . . . Lots and lots of love, Your Elsie xxxxxx.