Description
Lucy and her dad move a lot. Lucy doesn’t know why, but she thinks they might be hiding. Dad doesn’t like it when people know too much.
It’s easy to keep a secret if you keep to yourself. Lucy doesn’t have friends – except for Snail, her pet snail.
When Lucy’s Year 2 class focuses on helping others, Lucy slowly comes out of her shell. She likes this school, and her teacher, Miss Darling. She likes her classmates, especially Tahnee. She even likes Mei-hui’s van park, where she lives with Dad – and Snail. Snail knows that Lucy doesn’t want to run anymore.
But who can she turn to, when she’s watching, waiting, worrying... and Dad doesn’t come?
Review
This is a beautifully told story about a delightful little girl named Lucy and her Dad, who is just trying to do the right thing in difficult circumstances.
It has always been only Lucy and her Dad. Her only friend is her pet snail. Lucy slowly learns the truth about what happened to her Mum, and why her Dad always wants it to be just the two of them.
But with their latest move, Lucy finds herself in a school where she loves her teacher and her class, and starts to feel comfortable enough to make friends. And Mei-hui, who runs the van park where they are staying, is also a welcome support to Lucy and her Dad. Can she convince her Dad that letting people into their life can help them, not hurt them?
When something happens and Lucy’s Dad is not there to pick her up from school, her new friendship network highlights that we all need some help from time to time. Could this be the catalyst for change?
Lucy is a character that you will fall in love with from the start. She is a little girl wanting to fit in and enjoy that all life has to offer. There are strong themes of community and practical ways to help the environment. This story will be thoroughly enjoyed by junior to middle primary level readers.
Reviewed by Sam
