A Boy from Ireland

By Marie Raphael

Book Overview

A fast-paced story of Irish history and immigrant life in turn-of-the-century New Yorkand of a boy who triumphs over prejudice handed down for generations.

Long ago, Liam's English father disappeared. When his Irish mother dies, Liam is sent to her brother in Connemaraa rebellious land in Ireland's west. But Liam's fierce uncle holds England accountable for famines and all that the Irish suffered under her rule. He despises Liam for his English blood. So do the Connemara boys who torment and bully him. Before long, Liam is ensnared in a centuries-old battle.

Even in New York City, where he searches desperately for his father, Liam cannot evade the conflict. He must live with his uncle. A Connemara boy pursues him. Traveling Hell's Kitchen's streets in the horse-drawn wagon of the black man who hires him, Liam finds that violence breeds violence in this new world as it did in the old one. Irish and English, blacks and whites, and even horse and man are drawn into the destructive whirlwind. Liam longs to escape. With no one to help, can Liam rescue himself?

A Boy From Ireland links racial and national conflicts to those faced by any young adult, raising issues that are especially relevant today.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892553316
• ISBN13: 9780892553310
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Persea Books
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 10

Customer Reviews

An excellent, moving story of Irish history and social changes.

Set in Connemara Ireland in 1901, history is recreated in this story of Liam, whose English father has long vanished and whose Irish mother has just died. Sent to live with an uncle who is a fierce patriot against England and who despises Liam for his English blood, Liam finds himself involved in no end of conflict, until a letter from America invites the family to leave conflict behind for a new world. Will they find their father in America - and can the two leave prejudices behind also? A BOY FROM IRELAND is an excellent, moving story of Irish history and social changes.