Under the Hawthorn Tree: Children of the Famine
| By: | Marita Conlon-McKenna |
| Publisher: | O'Brien Press Ltd |
| Published: | October 2001 |
| Pages: | 192 |
| Categories: | Children |
| Language: | English |
| Available as: | Hardback |
| On sale at: |
The first book in the famine trilogy Under the Hawthorn Tree is Ireland's top selling children's book and a classic for young readers worldwide. Set during the Irish famine, it follows three children as they travel across the country to find their family. The first book in the famine trilogy Under the Hawthorn Tree is Ireland's top selling children's book and a classic for young readers worldwide. Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family, Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great aunts they have heard about in their mother's stories. With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess. Also available on DVD. beloved the world over -- The Herald vividly brings history to life for its readers ... a hugely involving tale -- Mad About Books her books never shy away from difficult issues, gripping you from the very opening chapter -- The Looking Glass The Children of the Famine trilogy ... continues to not only educate Irish children about their history, but enable people to truly connect with what happened -- The Looking Glass A great survival saga -- The Irish Independent makes a whole part of our history come alive, while it still remains a thrilling adventure tale. -- RTE Guide A sublime story ... I don't know any child who will not find this book enthralling. -- The Irish Times ... beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid. -- The Sunday Times The Great Irish Famine of the 1840s has received more fictional treatment than almost any other period in Irish historical children's books. Writing about the Famine posed new challenges to writers for children. The traditional passivity linked to ideas about famine would need to be overcome by some kind of action.
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