Fields of Home Book

One of the greatest historical fiction adventures in children's literature.

Marita Conlon-McKenna's Children of the Famine series brings to life as never before the Great Famine of 1840s Ireland and the immigrations that followed. Winner of many awards and accolades, these are all-time classics in historical fiction for children. Join siblings Eily, Michael, and Peggy on their incredible journey as they overcome tragedy, famine, and poverty to make their way in a dangerous new world.

" Beautiful and moving...historically true and fictionally vivid."-Sunday Times
" Not a word, spoken or unspoken, nor an emotion, is wasted. Pace and style keep the pages turning, and you are filled with a sense of wanting more at the end. Highly recommended." -Books Ireland
" Brings to a satisfying conclusion one of the undoubted achievements of contemporary Irish children's literature." -Children's Books in Ireland
" Three novels which, in my opinion, must be counted among the very highest achievements of contemporary children's writing - from Ireland or elsewhere." -Robert Dunbar

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7Fields of Home continues the story of Eily, Michael, and Peggy, three orphaned survivors of the Irish potato famine, begun in Under the Hawthorn Tree (1990) and Wildflower Girl (1992, both Holiday). Although circumstances have separated the now-grown siblings, they retain strong family ties. This book focuses mainly on the effect events have on Eily's young daughter, Mary-Brigid. The story is heavy on heartache, horses, and hopefulness, elements that adolescent girls tend to love. Conlon-McKenna gives a good explanation of how the Irish people were victimized by the system of tenant farming. One chapter features a poignant scene depicting the eviction of an elderly widow from her cottage. It conveys a true feeling of the tenants' almost helpless situation without being maudlin. It is not necessary to have read the earlier volumes to appreciate the story here, although readers of those titles will understand the characters and time period more completely, as no specific dates are given in this title. The transitions between the intertwined plot lines are handled nicely, avoiding confusion. Overall, this is an above-average addition to historical fiction collections. On a scale of one to four, it rates three and a half shamrocks.Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA