The DNA Detectives – The Smugglers Daughter
£6.99
Suitable For:
This is the second book in “The DNA Detectives” series written by Dr. Mandy Hartley. They are the first ever children’s fiction books for 7 – 12 year olds where the characters in the story use DNA and forensic science to solve a crime. The books have been written so children are learning about DNA, cells and forensic science as well as enjoying the exciting adventure. In this book children will discover how DNA can be used to unlock questions about the past and present. They will discover how DNA is inherited, how we can use DNA to find out where someone originates from and to establish if they are related.
The story starts with Annabelle and Harry heading off on holiday to a beautiful seaside cove in Cornwall. According to the stories it was once home to a gang of ship wreckers and smugglers. There are rumours of a secret smuggler’s tunnel, but no one has ever found it. Annabelle and Harry are determined they are going to find the tunnel. During the search for the tunnel they see a flash of light in a rock pool and discover a stunning gold locket. Inside the locket is an old black and white photograph of a girl and a lock of hair. When they show the locket to the lady in the cafe she remarks “It must have been left by the smugglers!” … and so starts their most exciting adventure yet with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader captivated!
Join Annabelle and Harry to see if they can discover the identity of the mysterious girl whose photo they found in the locket. Can they find the smuggler’s tunnel? Find out how they use DNA to unlock questions about the past and present.
Writing The Book
“DNA Detectives - To Catch A Thief” is the first book I have ever written but the story has been in my head for a very long time! I have worked with DNA in many different laboratories over the years and I have always loved the idea of having my own laboratory in the garden. I thought it would be fantastic to do experiments with my children and show them all the amazing things you can do with DNA. I then thought it would make a great story if my children (the characters in the story) could use DNA to solve a crime. What would make it even better was if they could use a laboratory just like the one I had always wanted! I came up with the idea of our pet dog Milly being stolen. I thought about the evidence the children could collect and then analyse in the laboratory like a real forensic case. I also wanted to write down some of the funny stories about my children so they can be treasured forever. I love the idea that my children can pass this book onto their children and say “Mummy wrote this about us”. Between them my children are such different characters and so easy to write about because I know them so well!
When I was at school English wasn’t my best subject. Even when I did my PhD I would spend a week writing a chapter and think to myself that is the best I can do. My supervisor would read it and then say “I think if you look at this you will see where you have gone wrong”. Obviously I had no idea where I had gone wrong. However, I think the many years of writing patient reports when I worked for the NHS helped me immensely. There could be no ambiguity in the reports and the meaning of the sentences had to be crystal clear. I now think carefully about the order of the words I use in a sentence and exactly what I am trying so say. I also think about when I am describing a scene in the book what I can see, touch, taste, hear and smell. I also try and visit as many locations in the book or from my memories to bring the story alive. I want the reader to have a vibrant picture in their heads as they are reading.
I loved the idea that as well as telling a story I could also use this book to teach children about DNA, cells and forensic science. I regularly run science workshops where I teach children as young as 4 years old about DNA. I knew I could use many of the techniques I use in the workshops in the book to explain the different concepts to children. More importantly I knew they worked! I really hoped that the excitement of this book could help to inspire some future scientists!
Weblinks
I have compiled some great web links with the help of the public engagement team at the Sanger Institute to help you learn more about DNA, cells, forensic science and electromagnets.
I have divided the web links into the chapters from the book so you can learn about the different subjects as you read the book. There are some great video clips to watch, some fantastic online games to play where you get to be a forensic scientist and analyse the evidence you collect, you can find out how to make a plaster cast of a footprint, go to a virtual online laboratory and extract DNA, find out how to make a DNA bracelet or even try and extract some DNA from fruit at home!
You can even print out the DNA evidence Annabelle and Harry look at in the book to see if you can be a DNA Detective and solve the crime!
tlstc@outlook.com
07776396963