Katie’s Big Match & Becky’s Problem Pet, Triplets series by Holly Webb (2004)
Triplets is a seven book series by Holly Webb, originally published between 2004-2005. It chronicles the lives of the three Ryan sisters; Katie, Becky and Annabel, with each edition focusing on one sister and their specific interests. Katie is the sporty sister of the trio, while Becky is more inclined towards animals and Annabel is concerned with fashion and beauty. I picked up both of these at a carboot sale recently, and instantly loved the 2000s cover designs.
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These aren’t the first books in the series, but I did accidentally read them in the right order - Katie’s Big Match takes place before Becky’s Problem Pet, and concerns the girls football team at Manor Hill school, as they yearn for their own strip like the boys. A charity match is organised to raise money for the kit, while rivalries flare between the triplets and their enemies. Katie and her friend Megan are disliked for being the only Year 7s on the squad, alongside Cara who loves to hate the sisters. They aren’t appreciated by the boys squad either, especially arch-nemesis Max, while his friend David struggles to place his loyalties.
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Katie dearly misses her Dad who’s often away with work, so Becky and Annabel start an email diary to show him all of their sister’s achievements. The fundraising game arrives and isn’t looking good when the boys score a goal, but things can only get worse when Max seeks revenge and intentionally injures Katie, leaving her out of the second-half and the school’s league qualifier the next day. The girls still protect their reputation without her, and after a visit to the hospital confirms a damaged muscle, Katie observes her team-mates score victory at the semi-final; and is offered a place on the county girls division when she’s feeling better, while her school squad gather enough money for the kit they’ve been hoping for.
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Becky’s Problem Pet follows on a few weeks after this, as the more sensitive and shy sibling dreams of owning the lovely rats she sees in her favourite magazine. She’s horrified to learn a boy at school plans to breed a pair for snake food, and does everything she can to stop this. A visit to his house leaves her and friend Fran in stitches, as it’s discovered his rats are both girls. Meanwhile, mean girl Amy and her posse team up with Max to attack the triplets, spreading nasty rumours about Becky’s love life. She’s distraught by the negative attention, and the thought her crush David might think she’s a player.
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Everything settles down eventually as the truth comes out, the sisters more popular than ever, and it gives Becky the opportunity to find out how David truly feels about her, with the help of her meddling sibling Annabel. Jack’s rats become disposable when they wont produce a litter, which opens the opportunity Becky has been hoping for, as she persuades her family to let her buy them. She’ll have to wait until Christmas for a larger cage to keep them in, but they’re delivered that weekend as a friendly gathering is arranged, an excuse to invite David round after he’d admitted to liking Becky more than a friend. With her dream pets and an unexpected romance, life couldn’t be better.
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I loved reading both of these books - I thought Holly gave each sister a well-defined voice, and I like that they explore unconventional plots. At the time, women were still trying to break through the gendered barriers for football, so to have a story that little girls interested in the sport can see themselves represented in is really special. I love that the second novel encourages kids to foster compassion for all species, even those society deems ugly and unlovable. I think what I like best about this series is that Holly doesn’t romanticise schooling, because for many of us it’s a place we’re glad to escape, full of hierarchies and bullies who want to put us down. I’m eager to read other titles from the collection in the future.
