I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smithĭoesn't everybody want to live in a castle? I did, and I wanted my life to be exactly like those of Rose and Cassandra Mortmain: creative, eccentric, falling in love for the first time. My current copy is illustrated by Jane Ray, whose gorgeous artwork is even more perfect than my imaginings. I still love this story of 12 rebel sisters who outwit their parents and dance all night, every night. I was hooked on fairy stories as a child – apart from annuals, a big grisly compendium of Grimm's Fairy Tales was the only book I actually owned for years. The Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Jane Ray This book is about following a dream, and making it happen through sheer hard work – a message that is as clear now as it was back then. I loved the ballet theme, in spite of having two left feet myself. This book had everything I wanted as a child: three cool, adopted sisters who have to cope when times get tough. Finally, I have five sisters of my own.' 1. The Chocolate Box Girls are my dream sisters: cool, quirky, arty and individual, full of hopes and dreams. 'It was a challenge for me to write a series about five sisters, but one I have loved. These days, I find that friendships, and the challenge of getting them right, are at the heart of every book I write. In my friendships, I have often looked for something of the family as well, and have been lucky enough to find it. 'Eventually I had a little brother, but I never did get a sister, so sister stories have always been endlessly appealing to me.

No Virgin by Anne Cassidy