Beauty Cookson is really not very beautiful. She's plain and timid, and all the girls at school are super-confident and snooty. They think her name is ridiculous and have come up with a new one for her - Ugly!

Worse than the teasing in the play-ground, though, is the hurtful criticism from her father. Beauty and her young, pretty mum live in fear of Dad's rages - sparked off when they break one of his fussy house rules, suggest somthing 'silly' like getting a pet, or if Beauty refuses to wear an outfit he's bought her. But Beauty's mum adores her and finds ways to keep Beauty happy despite all the shouting. Together they discover a new hobby - baking cookies - and a much better nickname is born.

After Beauty's disasterous birthday party, Dad's temper seems to be out of control. Can Mum and Beauty bear it any longer? Or can they find a way to start a sweet new life?

A charming, page-turning and heart-warming story from the beloved, bestselling Jaqueline Wilson.