Sixteen-year old Heidi always dreamed of being a society photographer for the rich and famous. Instead, her first film project plunges her into a world of subterfuge as she joins a courageous group of teenage protesters committed to saving orangutans in the wild. Their investigations soon lead them into the shadowy world of factory farming and the teenagers risk protest after protest with exhilarating success. There's daring, disguise, danger and more than a little mischief, particularly with their provoking impersonations inspired by US hoaxers, The Yes Men. But when the police come calling at their school, has it been one stunt too many? 'Bad Oil and the Animals is an absorbing and exciting book about a group of 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 kernel extract as stock feed plus an expose of factory farming. It is a fascinating tale that teenagers will love. I can highly recommend it.' Sue Kedgley, politician, animal welfare campaigner and author.'Bad Oil and the Animals transmits a profound and disturbing message in an informative yet entertaining tale of teenage self-discovery.' Dr. Michael Morris, Director Environmental Education Ltd., author and animal welfare advocate. L P Hansen is the author of An Unexpected Hero introducing Archie Baxter, WW1 pacifist, and winner of the 2102 Jack Lasenby Children's Writing Award.
About the Author: Bad Oil and the Animals had its beginnings somewhere in the author's own childhood and refused to rest, until written down. But first came Socks, a story on homelessness that won the 2012 Jack Lasenby Award for children's writing, followed by An Unexpected Hero, an adventure book introducing New Zealand's WW1 Pacifist Archie Baxter to young readers. Endorsed by David Hill and Ruth Paul, it tells of a present-day twelve year old, described by David Hill as 'a very likeable, very credible and genuinely unlikely hero who startles everyone, including himself, by what he's able to do.' Now Bad Oil and the Animals introduces a small band of teenage activists aiming their spotlight at animal welfare in New Zealand and elsewhere. The book's main characters are much like the multi-cultural young people that the author meets when visiting schools - alert, capable and bursting with energy and conviction. With backgrounds from the Cook Islands, China, Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand, they bring diverse talents to their well-researched campaign. Here is a writer who seemingly can't get enough of writing action packed, fact based adventures. Look for her writing in Historicool, an Australian young people's magazine as well. Her next book will involve teenage girls who face awesome, real life challenges with extraordinary support from a mysterious women's network. Contact her through www.lphansen.com