CHAMELEON DAD

A foster child reconnects with the father who abandoned her 8 years ago.

Connie’s last memory of her dad, Ben, is his leaving her to get her another hot chocolate at the Dublin airport cafe. He never returned. Now, Connie is 12 and an avid climber—and Mags, the airport cleaner Ben left her with, supposedly just for a moment, is her overprotective foster mum. This loss, plus the pain of her mother’s death not long before her father’s abandonment, are Connie’s constant companions along with her pet chameleon, Hue. When Connie discovers a letter from her father, sent care of Mags over a year ago, she begins to plan a reunion, aided by new friend Thyo. Connie meets with Ben in secret and soon is sneaking off to fly with him to his home in Leeds, England, beginning the most exciting and terrifying journey of her life. As Ben starts to show his true colors, Connie must use her wits—and climbing skills—to escape a disastrous situation (chameleons help). Thomas explores serious topics surrounding memory, conceptions of family, and the morality of scientific experiments while maintaining a light touch. A central element of the story is how terrible experiences can affect people over the long term: Can they be transformed into something positive? Supporting characters are strongly developed. Connie, Ben, and Mags read White; Thyo has a Black South African mum and a White English dad.

A fast-paced adventure with heart.