A brilliant end-of-series novel, the sort with just the right amount of tragedy, love, adventure and excitement. - The Guardian Hetty realised the circus was a tawdry place and determined to rescue Diamond from Beppo. Together the two girls fled on the clown’s penny farthing bicycle and set off in search of the Cavalcade Music Hall where they could make a better life for themselves by performing on the stage. I read this book a while ago, I really did enjoy it! I loved Hetty and Diamond's dynamic together, and their act performing as the "Little Stars" act (hence the book title) Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings. 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.

She befriended Ida, the kitchen maid, who slipped her extra treats during mealtimes, and was good at receiving sweets on Sundays, although they were frequently stolen from her by bigger girls. Ida noticed that Hetty was often bored, and gave her Cook's old Police Gazettes. Hetty would use the stories from them to scare the other girls. I also found that Diamond got quite annoying in this book, I understand she is a child but she did get on my nerves a bit.Bertie knows all about Jem, but Jem does not even know Bertie exists and I would love to see how they would react to each other if they meet which is why I hope Jacqueline Wilson will write another book on Hetty Feather, or have a follow up later on in life like she has done with Tracy Beaker! I got this book as soon as it came out and I read it within a week, I think that showed my love for Hetty Feather Hetty Feather has begun a new chapter in her life story. Escaping from Tanglefield's Travelling Circus with her dearest friend Diamond, Hetty is determined to find them positions as glamorous music hall artistes. 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. Diamond wasn't always a star. Born to penniless parents who longed for a strong, healthy son, she was a dainty, delicate daughter - and a bitter disappointment.

Fifteen-year-old Hetty Feather and eight-year-old Diamond have escaped from Tanglefield’s Travelling Circus. Hetty, a foundling, had run away to join the circus and succeeded as a clever young ringmaster, although she discovered it was a hard life. Diamond was the star of the Silver Tumblers acrobatic act. Unfortunately, a cruel clown, Beppo, who trained the acrobats had half-starved Diamond and beat her fiercely if she made even a slight mistake. Little Stars is the fifth book in the Hetty Feather series by Jacqueline Wilson, and I think that it is a great way to end the series. Hetty Feather has begun a new chapter in her life story. Escaping from Tanglefield’s Travelling Circus with her dearest friend Diamond, Hetty is determined to find them positions as glamorous music hall artistes. My, this was an absolute journey! Indeed, it sort of feels as if years have passed since the beginning of this book, and even more so since the beginning of the series (which is actually absolutely true in-universe), and while I'm still my old self, it's almost as if I've changed along with Hetty and her rich gallery of friends and found family.A heart-warming time travel adventure about family and friendship from the much-loved, bestselling Jacqueline Wilson. When life at the circus becomes too dangerous to bear any longer, what will the future hold for Diamond? And will her beloved Emerald be a part of it? Edie is fascinated by Victorian times, and she's just desperate to be cast in the lead role of her drama club production of Oliver. When she's given a real Victorian notebook she's determined to write the best story ever, all about a girl in a workhouse. But when she starts writing, something strange happens. London, 1876. Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby when her mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned children - but Hetty must first live with a foster family until she is big enough to go to school. Bertie seeks out to find Hetty as the role of Young David Copperfield. When she is giving autographs he simply says how he doesn't want Emerald Star, just simply Hetty Feather. He too also lost his job at the music hall, and he is going to move on to a new act, called the gappy chappy. I felt that Bertie was better for Hetty because he had the stardom life that Hetty wanted, but Jem had the country life she never showed any interest for.

Hetty is still the same person, but she is older and everything steps up a little. All of her little dreams seemed big when she was little, but now, given her circumstances in 'Little Stars' at the cavalcade and with acting, they seem so small compared with her dreams now. Being the Ringmaster at the circus in 'Diamond' was such a big and fantastic thing, but now looking at her being a professional actor it seems like her circus life was not professional and not proper. Now Hetty's life is real professional, despite her still being called a child.Life in the countryside is sometimes hard, but with her foster brothers, Jem and Gideon, Hetty helps in the fields and plays vivid imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus, and Hetty is mesmerised by the show - especially the stunning Madame Adeline and her performing horses. The people the girls meet, the friends they make, the dangers they encounter, and the glamorous music hall entertainers they accompany, all make fascinating reading. Hetty’s and Diamond’s adventures are a marvellous tale of theatrical life based on the stage stars of early days. I also loved the Victorian era of the series… Wilson brings it to life in vivid detail and knowing her I am sure it is historically accurate. A history lesson too!

Discovering an extraordinary gift for acrobatics, Diamond uses her talent to earn a few pennies, but brings shame on her family. When a mysterious, cruel-eyed stranger spots her performing, Diamond is sold - and is taken to become an acrobat at Tanglefield's Travelling Circus.I guess both of these traits however do fall in line with her upbringing, how she's had to act selfishly to survive. She is also young, so she doesn't understand every situation as well, but I feel these two traits are in conflict with each other, as one implies she's wise to the dangers but the other not.