Children's Book Council: Spring 2024 Showcase: Reading List: Transformation

When Connie gets a letter from the dad she thought was dead, she sets out to discover why he left her, eight years ago, sitting in an airport cafe with only her pet chameleon for company.

Since then she's lived with her foster mum, a cleaner at the airport, and dreams of seeing her dad again.

With her new friend, a fearless, fossil-hunting boy called Thyo, she tracks her dad down. But as he reveals his true
colours, Connie starts to wonder if she's made the biggest mistake of her life.

About the Author

After studying geology at university, Debbie Thomas trained as a BBC reporter. She worked in Bangladesh and South Africa, then moved to Ireland, where she decided that making things up was more fun than telling the truth in news reports.

She has written several children's books (Dead Hairy, Jungle Tangle, Monkie Business, Class Act, My Secret Dragon, Chameleon Dad) and is the writer in residence at Our Lady's Hospital School in Crumlin, Dublin.

She is a director of Nepal Leprosy Trust, a charity that supports people in Nepal affected by leprosy. Whenever she visits that beautiful country she waves at Mount Everest - and it always waves back.

Reviews

"A fast-paced adventure with heart."

* Kirkus Reviews *

"Thomas's work is clever in that it deals in a very accessible way with some difficult and emotional themes."

* Books for Keeps *

"An absolutely captivating read. I couldn't put it down."

* InTouch *

"One roller-coaster ride through emotions on the way to discovering the real meaning of family - and the charms of chameleons."

* The Echo *

"This is a charming, funny and empathetic novel ... It's a perfect lure away from the screens and devices for at least some of the school holidays."

* Meath Chronicle *

"I was instantly hooked by this book and read the whole book in one evening."

* Just Imagine *

"I could not put it down ...Chameleon Dad got me from the very beginning."

* StoryShaped *

" A terrific chapter book for older kids that examines loss, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family."

* All Done Monkey blog *



Book Information
ISBN 9781912417889
Author Debbie Thomas
Format Paperback
Page Count 214
Imprint Little Island
Publisher Little Island