ANNE INGRAM

The idea for this first Lucy Bee novel came about when I had my children’s bookstore, Moby Dickens’ Books on the Kapiti Coast. Young readers would come in wanting stories about their lives, their schools, their families, their friends, things that mattered to them. This is that novel. Many of the events that occur in the novel actually happened in our community although I have fictionalised them – a school arson, bullying, a science fair. It’s a story about identity, about knowing who you are, where you fit in.

The quest keeps the reader guessing until the last pages. This is one of those stories you simply do not want to put down. Barbara Murison – Around the Bookshops

This is a delightful story of the small dramas children have in their lives – nagging doubts about identity, loyalty, the shifting nature of friendship. Lucy Bee & the Secret Gene explores these and resolves them. John MacIntyre – National Radio

I really enjoyed this book. It’s beautifully written. It’s funny. I loved it. And what I really liked was that it looked at bullying from both sides. It had real insight. Pam Coleman, Youth Services Coordinator for Kapiti Libraries.

An awesome book that is just right to encourage kids into family history. It’s a good read and will get kids thinking about how all this genes and DNA stuff works. New Zealand Society of Genealogists.

A satisfying story of friendship and family. Ann Packer – the New Zealand Listener.

I was inspired to write this novel while on our canal boat in France. It was summer, the countryside was beautiful, the local people friendly, tourists were thronging the historical hot spots, and all seemed well with the world. But when we stopped at some of the canal ports, we sometimes saw small clusters of young men, many in their teens. They looked lost, bereft, even hungry. They were refugees driven out of their own, largely war-torn countries, and desperate to find a safe haven. Sometimes they were welcomed, sometimes they were not. Even the French families we knew had different views about them. I wanted to explore what might happen if one of them unexpectedly landed virtually on the doorstep, needing care. And what Lucy, from far away New Zealand, would do.

The story cracks along at a fast pace, with plenty of action, intrigue and mystery to keep readers turning the page. The author has created a cast of wonderful dynamic characters. Lucy is strong, compassionate and full of empathy. She takes on challenges and isn’t afraid to push boundaries or stand up for what she believes in. Rebekah Fraser, NZ Booklovers.

French phrases throughout coupled with the descriptive scene setting has you feeling you are right there with Lucy. The plight of the refugees is handled well; there is no heavy lecturing, instead we are shown the human face of this global issue. There is plenty of action and a good resolution. Well written, it is a thoroughly good read. Vanessa Hadley-Owen – KIDSBOOKSNZ

The author wastes no time in plunging Lucy into an adventure. Ingram has skilfully presented the emotions of a morally engaged girl confronted with unfamiliar cultural values. A very well written narrative focussing on the ability of children to see a moral surety where adults so often cannot. I think deep-thinking teens in particular will enjoy it. Sarah Forster – The Sapling

The book gently tackles the topic of prejudice, tolerance and the current European refugee crisis. The easy way this is written genuinely asks the reader what they would do in a similar situation. There is nothing overtly political in this book; only the truth about human relationships, identity and empathy. Melissa Spark – Magpies magazine.

A rich and intelligent book designed to capture a young reader’s imagination. A pacey adventure story into which is woven a contemporary conundrum that challenges Lucy’s innate New Zealand sense of justice and fair play. Young readers will be hoping at every turn of the page that she makes the right choices. Ann David – Goodreads

This novel was sparked by two similar situations. The first was the very real potential loss of a family’s ancestral land on the Kapiti Coast. It was about to be seized for the new expressway. The second was the continual struggle to maintain an historic French chateau owned by its family for generations. The circumstances were very different but the threat was the same – not only the loss of family ownership but also the loss of heritage. It got me thinking about how important one’s heritage is – knowing where you’ve come from, who your antecedents were and what they did, how and where they lived.In the novel, Lucy comes to realise the importance of skilfully made beautiful objects from the past – the stories they hold, their relevance to today because of what they can teach us. This is the kind of heritage she wants to help conserve and where she sees her future. Soline’s heritage is in the family land. Knowing how her ancestors fought to keep it and care for it, she knows she must maintain and even improve the legacy they left so that it can be passed on to the next generation.

This novel is the third in the Lucy Bee series but is a complete story in its own right. Soline is a French student staying with Lucy Bee's family on the Kapiti Coast. Soline receives a phone call with devastating news: the family chateau may have to be sold. Soline is understandably upset as it has been in the family for generations. As Soline opens up to Lucy, they make comparisons between the importance of land and heritage in France and Maori land issues in Aotearoa. Anne Ingram tells the story in alternating chapters from each girl's perspective. The supportive friendship between them is a delight. The front cover sums up the novel beautifully. A chateau with grape vines is juxtaposed with a marae, native NZ birds and plants. Although France and Aotearoa are poles apart geographically and culturally, the author shows commonality through the importance of heritage and taonga. This book will appeal to ages 12-15. Recommended.      Nova Gibson - READNZ TE MURAMURA 

Discovery is at the heart of this enjoyable tale of two young girls from the opposite ends of the earth: discovery of self, friendship, interests, history, and ultimately a hidden treasure. The story explores turangawaewae and the importance of treasuring and protecting where you come from, both in the NZ setting and in Soline's part of the world. For Lucy, the visit (to France) awakens her interest in history, another part of understanding who you are and where you belong. As a history nerd, I loved seeing Lucy enthralled by the chateau's tapestries and wanting to learn more about Aotearoa's history. I truly hope she follows her dream to study history.     Vanessa Hatley-Owen - KIDSBOOKSNZ