 First edition | |
| Author | Jacqueline Wilson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Nick Sharratt |
| Cover artist | Nick Sharratt |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Doubleday (first edition, hardback) |
Publication date | 4 March 2004 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) and audiobook |
| Pages | 228 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-385-60606-6 |
| OCLC | 53821502 |
| Preceded by | Midnight |
| Followed by | The Diamond Girls |
Best Friends is a children's novel by Jacqueline Wilson, first published in 2004.
Eleven-year-old girls Gemma Jackson and Alice Barlow have been best friends from birth, ever since they were born on the same day and in the same hospital. The two are polar opposites; Gemma is a tomboy who likes playing wild and exciting sports, while Alice is girly and loves ballet and the color pink. Despite their differences, the two girls spend almost every day together, and on their birthdays they always wish to stay friends forever.
One day, Alice tells Gemma that she and her parents are moving far away to Scotland. Gemma and Alice are both devastated at the thought of being separated, but Alice's snobbish mother claims that Alice will make new friends when they move. Not wanting this, Alice suggests that she and Gemma run away - and do so during the leaving party on the day before the move. Gemma suggests they catch a train to London. On the way they are recognized by classmate Billy "Biscuits" McVitie, whose baby sister Polly was baptised that same day at the church that Gemma and Alice passed en-route; he tells his mother, who informs Alice's and Gemma's parents who in turn then catch the girls before they can board the train. Alice moves away and the girls are separated, and also banned from speaking to each other again. Gemma was blamed for the absconding incident.
Gemma's grandfather invites her to accompany him on a trip to Scotland when he is hired to taxi a client from Scotland to London. Upon arrival at Alice's new house the two share a happy reunion and Gemma is allowed to stay for the day. However, Gemma grows insecure when Alice is excited to show off her new pink bedroom and large house. Later in the day, Gemma meets Alice's new friend Flora Hamilton, who is a classmate to Alice at her new school as well as her new ballet class. Gemma is intimidated by Flora's friendship with Alice and approval from Alice's mother (including when Flora lies about Alice saying Gemma's family are "quite poor" regarding how a china doll came to fruition - Gemma's late grandmother left the doll to her, which she later gave Alice). When the cake Gemma has made and brought is presented at dinner, Alice requests that she and Gemma cut the cake together and make their traditional wish. When Alice's mother gives Flora the knife instead, Gemma finally snaps and shoves the cake in Flora's face.
Gemma is made to leave but Alice assures Gemma they are still best friends. Gemma gradually starts to rebuild her life without Alice, including establishing her friendship with Biscuits. The story ends on Gemma (and Alice's) birthday, when she celebrates with her family, Biscuits, and Biscuits' family. Gemma receives a birthday card and charm bracelet from Alice reassuring her that despite Alice not being able to contact Gemma any longer, they will remain best friends forever.
Biscuits makes appearances in Jacqueline Wilson novels Cliffhanger and Buried Alive!, albeit with no proper first name and with the surname Baker. Tim, the boy he befriends in these books, is referred to after Gemma's unsuccessful visit to Alice in Scotland as Gemma says she will never get to see Alice again. Biscuits says, "Yeah you can. This boy Tim and me are great mates and yet we only get to see each other on holiday."
In 2004, a five-part adaptation was produced by CITV (later aired on CBBC). It followed the book closely, but with a few minor alterations and a new ending.
Notable differences between the book and the TV series:
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