Author(s): Jacqueline Wilson et al

Short stories - children

"Countdown" - Hugo wants a gerbil, but his dad says it's cruel to keep something in a cage. To prove him wrong, Hugo sets out to stay in a room by himself all day. But can he stand it, or will he crack? "My Brother Bernadette" - Bernard and Sara are off to the summer project. Only problem is, Bernard just wants to do the clothes design course. Big Dan starts calling him Bernardette, but he doesn't reckon on Bernard's skill with a needle and thread. "Snakes and Ladders" - At school, she's called 'Weedy Wendy' - but Wendy isn't afraid of Slinky, Grandad's snake. When she takes Slinky to school and he wriggles out of her school bag, Wendy will brave anything to rescue him.