Lucas by Alison Bellringer follows Lucas, an orphan boy taken in by his neighbors, the Copperleys. Although they love him as if he were their own child, when he hears them discussing their financial struggles, he assumes they no longer want him. Feeling somewhat out of place, Lucas leaves their home with Bandit, their dog, and begins a wandering life. He accepts small jobs and is paid with food and shelter. Lucas also meets people who show him kindness along the way. After experiencing a painful loss, Lucas eventually meets Ruby and Seth, a caring couple who openly welcome him into their home. They offer him a secure and stable family life. As Lucas grows older, new friendships take shape, old ties reappear, and he is left wondering what family truly means. Will he ever find the home he dreams of?

Alison Bellringer’s Lucas reads like a gentle coming-of-age story set in close-knit villages where everyone’s life connects in some way or another. The writing is inviting and captivating. It fits perfectly with a plot built around highly emotional moments. Lucas grows through several heartfelt experiences and the support of people who really care about him. The book explores ideas such as healing, found family, and forgiveness. The rural setting gives the story a warm, familiar feeling. It reminds me of family stories that move at a natural pace and focus on relationships rather than big twists, for example, Little House on the Prairie. Readers who enjoy calm, meaningful stories about rebuilding and second chances will find this book thoughtful and comforting. Very highly recommended.

Lucas by Alison Bellringer is a well-written book for children that tells the story of an orphan in search of survival and acceptance. Lucas is taken in by a kind neighbor after the death of his parents. However, one evening, Lucas overhears a conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Copperley, and he feels that he is an imposter who does not belong in their home. He comes up with a plan and embarks on what appears initially to be a journey without a definite destination. Lucas experiences a series of events on this quest, including an attack by a wild boar and more. Lucas encounters some incredible people, such as Seth and Ruby, who offer him their home and completely change his life for the better.

Reading this book filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions; one moment, I was worried about Lucas' safety and almost in tears, but soon after, I was overjoyed by Lucas' reunion with Maisie. The plot twist and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, proving Alison to be a skilled and passionate writer. I loved that this book has well-developed characters. The writing is organized, well-paced, and easy to comprehend. Children will learn positive lessons on kindness and the importance of treating others with respect from this story. It features themes of survival, acceptance, bravery, love, and more. I found this book both entertaining and inspiring. I recommend Lucas by Alison Bellringer to all children and adults who enjoy reading children’s books.

“Alison Bellringer’s trilogy continues with Lucas… delving deeper into the world of its predecessor… This time though, the story focuses on the character Lucas… a runaway seeking shelter. Along with him for the first leg of his journey is the dog of the family that took him in… He is then lucky enough to cross paths with the kindly Ruby and her ill husband, Seth, whose daughter just ran away… For readers of Whisper, nearly all of the characters will be familiar… However, this book introduces additional depth to the title character, filling out his backstory. It was also great to see another canine protector, Bandit, appear and I believe this will be a theme throughout the whole trilogy… Lucas is best read in conjunction with Whisper… Reading the entire trilogy will give readers the best perspective on everyone—including every dog—involved in this family tale… Bellringer has done a good job of fitting together this second piece of the family puzzle…”

“Lucas is such a great book! I loved the first book in the series, Whisper, so I was super excited to read this one, and it did not disappoint. Lucas is a character that I knew from Whisper and this is his story… Right from the start, I felt really bad for Lucas. He lost his parents and had nowhere to go, and the first family that took him in couldn’t afford to keep him… I could really feel how scared and alone he must have been. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Lucas started learning carpentry… He finally had something he was good at, and it gave him a sense of purpose… Britney is another reason why I liked this book so much! Since I read Whisper, I already knew her story, and I was so happy to see her again… Sometimes the book is sad, sometimes it’s heartwarming, and sometimes it’s exciting. The writing is so good that I could picture everything in my head, from the little cottage to the cozy workshop and even the scary moments. I would definitely recommend Lucas to anyone who liked Whisper, or who enjoys books about friendship, family, and finding where you belong. I can't wait to start reading the third book in the trilogy. These stories are ones that stay with you even after you finish them, and I think other kids my age would really love them!”

“As a sequel to the story Whisper, Lucas takes us back in time to tell the story of the
orphaned little boy who will become a vital part of a new, happy family. After his parents die, Lucas is taken in by the loving family of one of his best friends. However, after overhearing them worrying one night about the strain of having to feed an extra mouth, Lucas decides to run away. He wanders from village to village, exchanging his help with household chores for food and shelter, until he stumbles on the home of Ruby and Seth. The couple are grief-stricken, having just lost their daughter, who has run away to be married. They take Lucas in, and soon, he becomes like a son to them… Then, one day, a little girl appears on their doorstep, frightened and badly malnourished. After years of estrangement, these fragmented families may finally be coming whole again. Lucas is a strong, resilient, and kindhearted main character… With its emphasis on learning from experience and building trusting, loving relationships, this multigenerational saga conveys that even the most difficult challenges can be overcome by continually choosing to do the right thing. While unexpected twists and
turns keep the plot exciting, the story is filled with details of everyday life, helping the characters and events feel more real. Lucas will surely be a winner for readers who enjoy historical fiction and coming-of-age stories.”