Two rebel teenage cousins uncover their true talents and outwit oppressors in this fast-moving real time story. Sent to spend summer at a lonely beach in the care of an eccentric mentor, they’re introduced to a mysterious women’s network through a game. Gradually the girls gain clarity and insight into their own troubled histories. They learn from other women’s lives and acquire new, practical skills. But when they return home and dangers threaten once more, will this be enough to keep them safe? The Fire Keeper’s Girls is called ‘the book every woman wishes she had read as a teenager’ by Alexia Hilbertidou, Founder and CEO of GirlBoss NZ and Winner of Westpac Women of Influence (2016). Twenty-five brief biographies of influential women from twenty-five countries are included.
Relevant at this time of Greta Thunberg and climate protests, this fast-moving and exhilarating tale involves teenagers’ exploits to expose the threat to orangutan habitat from factory farming’s use of palm kernel extract. There’s daring, disguise and quite a lot of mischief as the multi-cultural group aims a spotlight at animal welfare in New Zealand and elsewhere. Their stunts attract public attention but with scholarships at stake, maintaining their anonymity is critical. So when the police come calling at their school, has there been one prank too many? Sources for further study included.
Matt, a city boy plunged into the unfamiliar world of a small rural New Zealand school, encounters his worst nightmare; he has to speak in public. Under pressure Matt stammers, and the pressure intensifies as he decides to speak about World War 1 pacifist Archie Baxter, father of poet James K. Baxter. In a district where almost every family has lost someone to war, it’s not the smartest choice. There’s tension, trouble and triumph as Matt, described by David Hill as ‘a very likeable, very credible and genuinely unlikely hero’ startles everyone, including himself, by what he’s able to do. An Unexpected Hero has twice been chosen by teachers for Year 7-8 in NZ ReadAloud, the national reading programme, in 2017 and 2019.
Whanganui Library recommends Linda Hansen as an experienced researcher and storyteller offering a comprehensive presentation on peacemakers in Aotearoa New Zealand in a wide sweep across history: “Linda guided us through centuries of peacemaking right up to the present day. ...
Review in Tui Motu Magazine, by Catharina van Bohemen — August 31, 2021New Zealander L P Hansen writes about “real kids in real adventures” which include current universal crises such as bullying, climate change and consumerism. The Dark ...
Centred around sixteen-year-old Heidi and her new-found friends, it explores the horrific effects of palm oil. Palm oil is something that sure has a bad reputation now, with everyone now alert and aware of global warming. Harvested mostly from the ...
I loved how at the end, the author includes brief biographies of all the women Gemma and Alice researched for The Game. I learnt an immense amount about many incredible women, and I especially loved the stories of Margaret Hamilton ...
This inspiring and stirring tale of feminism and awareness comes with hints of humour and romance and will provide readers with a slew of new knowledge to take into their daily lives without the sometimes-tediousness of standard non-fiction texts. Kiwi ...
The Dark Quest of Countess X draws on the work of Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize winning economist, and follows four groups of teenage students from Cook Islands, South Africa, New Zealand and India as they respond to a challenge related ...
15 April 2021, review by Savarna Yang.*“Why is the human female valued so low that many women see themselves and others as not fit to live?”Around the world, mysterious emails arrive at schools asking teenagers to “help missing women” by ...
This is a terrific read, delightful not just for young adults but for the older adults in their lives. It gives a bigger picture of how we humans can - as historically proven - live equably together. The Quest to ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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.’
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Fire Keeper’s Girls (2018)
Bad Oil and the Animals (2016)
An Unexpected Hero (2014)