Pearl and Jodie are sisters. Pearl is the younger one, small, shy and anxious. Jodie is nearly three years older, bold and brash and bad - and Pearl adores her. When their parents get new jobs at Melchester College, a Victorian Gothic mansion, the girls spend a bizarre summer holiday in the boarding school with just a few leftover children for company...

My Sister Jodie is the latest book by Jacqueline Wilson to be turned into an audiobook.

The story starts with the birth of Pearl - so named because her mother called her her little pearl when she was a baby - and explores the relationship between the entire family, but mainly between the two sisters.

When the girls' parents accept new jobs at a boarding school (Dad is to be a caretaker, while Mum will be the school's cook), the whole family is uprooted and moved to a new life.

Things start to change once they are in their new home. Jodie has always been the leader - but now it's Pearl who's making new friends: tall, eccentric Harley and Mrs Wilberforce, the wife of the Head with her library of wonderful books. Jodie just seems to be getting into more and more trouble - arguing with Mum, scaring the little children and flirting with the young gardener.

When term begins, their strange summer is over. But things keep on changing for the sisters. Jodie really doesn't fit in with the posh teenagers in her class. Pearl is blossoming. Maybe she doesn't need Jodie as much as she used to. But Jodie needs her. And when the school celebration of Fireworks Night comes around and a tragic event occurs, Pearl realises quite how much she does need her big sister.

Jacqueline Wilson reads her own story in this five hour collection which is spread over four CDs. While this story is aimed at young teenage girls, the story is gripping enough to appeal to boys also, as well as adults.

Fans of Wilson's other books will love this heart-warming, moving story of sisters, friendship and teenage rebellion.

8

Amber Leigh