Hetty Feather is one of my favourite historical novels. In the Victorian era, some mothers had no way to support themselves or their children so they sadly had to give them away to places called ‘Foundling Hospitals’ where they were then given to foster parents to care for the children. When the children were five, they were returned to the hospital where they stayed until they were called up into service.

Hetty Feather is written by Jacqueline Wilson in the form of a memoir, which is another word for a diary, authored in the perspective of Hetty, and she talks about her life. She is very hot-headed and fierce, which does find her enemies but she is also lively, very friendly and imaginative. In the foundling hospital, Hetty struggles to adapt to the harsh routine where love is sparse and finds it impossible to get on with the hateful matrons. Despite this, she makes friends such as the kindly Nurse Winterson, a fellow foundling called Polly, Harriet and the kindly kitchen maid, Ida.

I love how Wilson goes in to the mind of Hetty and creates this amazing story. It’s sensitive and the different events in her life makes you know exactly how she feels. The characters, sometimes sweet and sometimes amusing, show us how life was like back then in the Victorian era and to appreciate how are circumstances are mostly much better then there were back then. There are some really tear-jerking bits, like when Hetty had to leave her foster family and her beloved brother, Jem. But it’s not all sadness and misery. There are heartwarming bits too, like the ending. I won’t spoil it for you but it really is extremely well-written and a beautiful plot twist.

I would recommend this for children 8+, as it gives kids insight and teaches them about the history of the Victorians. It certainly was an interesting period! I hope this has helped you add another good read to your list!

The Book Girl 📚