About LP Hansen - LP Hansen

LP Hansen is a New Zealand based author of young adult and youth fiction. Her most recent book is The Fire Keeper’s Girls (2018). Asked about her work as an author, she will tell you:

“I write about real kids in real adventures. About teenagers finding their true strengths as they respond to issues like threatened environments, bullying in schools, over-ambitious parents, consumerist cultures, the hidden faces of war and slavery. They’re fast-paced stories for adolescents already involved in change, questioning social and cultural controls as they depart childhood.

These young people quickly discover how human potential can be influenced by violence – or by humane example – and they make their choices as they confront issues they can’t ignore.

There’s friendship, romance, audacity, disguise and quite a bit of mischief as these young protagonists from different cultures take up challenges. Being fact-based, all books include sources for further reading.

I took up YA writing after Socks, my story on homelessness, won the Jack Lasenby Senior Award for children’s writing (2012).”

Reviews for LP Hansen’s work

“As a teenager I loved reading and all my pocket money went on books. I had a few favourite authors, and if LP Hansen had been around back then, I’m pretty sure she would have been one of them.”The Fire ...

Your session was very appropriate for my Year 10 students as they have just started learning about the New Zealand wars and Parihaka. The early links between Parihaka and Rēkohu surprised and impressed them. They were also encouraged to learn ...

As you know, at the time of your Session the students were willing to sit on the floor for almost an hour and listen to your story, and had lots of questions for you at the end. I wanted to ...

Your presentation was informative and your enthusiasm in presenting was well received by the twelve Year 9 groups. You obviously have a talent as a storyteller!!Your Session tied up really effectively with our work on Parihaka. We have a school-wide ...

What is a conscientious objector and how could a conscientious objector possibly be a hero? ‘An Unexpected Hero’ by LP Hansen is a novel set in rural New Zealand with believable characters and happenings. It follows twelve-year-old Matt Turner’s fears ...

What an excellent short novel this is for young people and a timely reminder that it takes courage to refuse to fight.Matt is in Year 8 and because of his family situation – his father is working overseas and his ...

Although this book was published three years ago, it is extremely relevant today in the wake of Greta Thunberg and climate protests. Like Greta, Heidi is 16 years old and has dreamed of using her passion for photography in high ...

This is a story about a young New Zealand girl Heidi, who has a passion for photography and a yearning desire to be a photographer of the rich and famous one day. However her path crosses with Meke, a homestay ...

I learnt a lot about the importance of knowing my own gifts and finding my place in the world. I recommend this book particularly to girls aged 12-18, who will appreciate its story of resisting the pressure to conform, finding ...

Dawn Sanders ONZM QSM, CEO and Trustee, Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ & Member of the Shakespeare Globe Council, London: ‘Linda Hansen creates a compelling read and a strong endorsement to encourage girls into theatre and the arts. Through Samantha’s cleverly ...

Alexia Hilbertidou, Founder and CEO, GirlBoss NZ: ‘The Fire Keeper’s Girls is a coming-of-age story to enlighten and inspire the next generation of GirlBosses. This realistic tribute to modern feminism shows that while the path to female empowerment may be ...

Chris Duggan, Founder and National CEO, House of Science, NZ: ‘The Fire Keeper’s Girls is a story full of hope and light, a fast-paced adventure involving deep emotional trials that many teenage girls will identify with. Girls are empowered to be ...

Sue Kedgley, politician, animal welfare campaigner and author: ‘An absorbing and exciting book about teenagers who decide to investigate the way palm oil plantations are destroying the habitat of orangutans. Interwoven into this action-packed novel is the use of palm ...

Dr. Michael Morris, Director Environmental Education Ltd, zoologist, author and animal welfare advocate: ‘Transmits a profound and disturbing message in an informative yet entertaining tale of teenage self-discovery.’

Ben Dowdle, Founder and Campaign Director of Unmask Palm Oil, The Australasian campaign for mandatory labelling of palm oil: ‘A fast paced and exhilarating read on an important issue. Well researched and well written, it puts a spotlight on activism, ...

David Hill, author of ‘My Brother’s War’, winner of both the Junior Fiction and the Children’s Choice Junior Fiction: NZ Post Awards, 2013 NZ: ‘Linda Hansen’s novel An Unexpected Hero is a mischievous, affectionate story of a very likeable, very ...

Ruth Paul, author/illustrator of many award-winning books including ‘The King’s Bubbles’ which won the NZ Post Children’s Choice Picture Book Award 2008: ‘In An Unexpected Hero Linda Hansen cleverly exposes a hidden tale of wartime New Zealand exposed within a ...

Barbara Murison worked with children, people and books from 1950. Member New Zealand Association of Manuscript Assessors: ‘‘An Unexpected Hero’ is one of those books where you only have to read one page and you are hooked. The story is set in ...

‘The Fire Keeper’s Girls’ is an empowering read. It is just the sort of book I would have loved as a teen … adventure, learning, friendship and growth. Highly recommended.I was swept away by the fast-moving story of this book. ...

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