Description
Immediately upon her arrival in London to train as a spy, sixteen-year-old Nicki Haddon is assigned to help the British Secret Service infiltrate a drug cartel that is smuggling large amounts of heroin into the country. Placing herself in the midst of a tough East End street gang, she uncovers a plot to create a super-potent opiate and also discovers a royal connection -- one that goes all the way back to Queen Victoria. Nicki puts her life at risk as she goes after the kingpin of the cartel. Her kung fu skills are severely tested in this action-packed thriller, as the teen spy-in-training tries to unravel not only "the secret of the golden flower," but the ongoing mystery of her own past.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 16
- Grade:
- 7 to 10
- Reading age:
- 12 to 16
Editorial Reviews
Readers should expect a fast-paced story with a powerhouse heroine and a punk rock soundtrack.
— Booklist
A worthy pick for a middle school readers, especially those who are adept at following an intricate plot.
— School Library Journal
[Caroline Stellings] is known for her writings on the Nancy Drew mystery series, and the influences are clear. Nicky Haddon is equally perky, as indefatigable, and as talented a role model for pre-teen girls.
— Resource Links
Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to school and community YA Fiction collections.
— The Midwest Book Review
I prefer Nicki to so many of the strong female protagonists of trendy YA lit... a clever and talented martial artist, with the right stuff to insinuate herself into situations in which she can problem-solve the mysteries within.
— CanLit for Little Canadians
...the story unfolds at breakneck speed with Nicki in the middle of all the action.... [A] cracking good read.
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
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Librarian review
The Secret of the Golden Flower
The Secret of the Golden Flower is an exciting spy adventure. Teenage protagonist, Nikki Haddon, has a talent for Kung-Fu and intelligence work. Her spy training helps her uncover the truth behind her own upbringing, as uses her skills to learn that she was abandoned at birth in China. Nikki is a dynamic Canadian-Asian female protagonist, and this tale of finding yourself as a young teen will resonate with young readers from all backgrounds searching for their own sense of belonging.
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Diversity Collection Selection 2017.
