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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The strength and endurance of the human spirit., July 1, 2004
This review is from: Maggie's Door (Hardcover)
Nory Ryan has a dream that one day her family will be together again. They will be in America, standing outside the door of her sister Maggie's house in Brooklyn. Nory's friend and neighbor, Sean Red Mallon, also has a dream. He imagines himself together with his brother Francey and Francey's new young wife, Maggie. Nory will be there with her family and they will all be standing outside Maggie's door. Nory and Sean share the same dream, but for now they have only hunger and misery in their lives after the potato famine hits Ireland. With no hope left, the Ryans and Mallons have decided to leave Ireland and in small groups have set off on foot for the nearest port to get a ship to England and then another ship to America. Starving, weak, and not knowing the world beyond their own small community, the straggling travelers lose one another in the chaos of a famine-stricken Ireland. Sean finds himself alone and has to make his own way to America without a ticket or money. In his adventures, he makes a great discovery that leads him to a new goal in life as he decides that he is going to learn how to read and will have a book of his own one day. Patricia Reilly Giff keeps the children's stories separate, alternating chapters and maintaining a sense of suspense as to whether or not the family members will find one another. Giff's graphic description of the horrors of the famine makes her story very powerful. The poverty is almost beyond our understanding and the suffering of the Irish people is unspeakable. Giff also is a master of imagery. For example, when she describes the potato crop as a stinking "ooze" we visualize a vast contrast to the pretty bluish purple flowers that one sees blossoming in a field of healthy potato plants. MAGGIE'S DOOR is a book that most readers will find disturbing. At the same time, it reminds us of the strength and endurance of the human spirit and how powerful love can be. No matter how much people suffer, they can rise above their anguish and find what it takes to keep on going and even help others. One note...readers who have not yet read NORY RYAN'S SONG may want to pick that up. It is the pre-quel to MAGGIE'S DOOR and while it is not necessary to read the titles in order, it will give readers an even deeper understanding of the material. --- (...)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
tale as old as America herself, May 4, 2007
It is the great potato famine of Ireland and everyone is starving, save the rich Englishmen. Surviving on seaweed and scavenged eggs from the seabird's nests, Nory knows it is her turn. Her family has gone on, and she has nothing to hold her back.
Nory Ryan sets out, down the road to Galway, alone. She hopes to find her young brother and her neighbor Sean Red Mallon, and together set sail for America. Her sister Maggie has already arrived in Brooklyn, and waits at 416 Smith Street for her family to join her and her new husband, Sean Red's brother.
Nory's tale and Sean's are told in alternating chapters and sometimes with connecting moments that demonstrate the synchronicity of life. Sean is forced to leave his Mam and Nory's brother Patch, and when he returns they are nowhere to be found. Distraught, he hopes to find them again and manages to gain passage to Liverpool as ballast in the hold of a ship. From there he is to be the cook's assistant on another ship to America. It is the only way, and he is lucky to have found it.
Will Nory find her brother, and perhaps even her father and sister at the docks? Will she find passage on a ship, and if she does, will she survive the trip? And what of her friend Sean - they were destined to be together, or so she thought.
In a tale as old as America herself, Patricia Reilly Giff gives us a glimpse into the realities of our immigrant forefathers and mothers. My own great great grandfather an immigrant to New York, the story hits home for me, as it will most Americans. Giff's understanding and interest in the era shows and her gift of story telling shines. Maggie's Door awaits at 416 Smith Street and the journey is unforgettable. The book is suitable for older readers and adults alike, bringing history to life before your eyes.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Maggie's Door, March 20, 2006
A Kid's Review
Maggie's Door
By: Lila Garcia
Nory Ryan is a young Irish girl who lives through what is now known as the "potato famine." Many people in Ireland are going to America to get away from this monstrosity. Nory's sister has already landed in America, and is waiting for the rest of her family.
So, Nory along with Patch, her brother, and Granda, her grandfather, set off for America in a smelly ship called "Samson."
There Nory will learn what it means to "stand together and never let go, even if there are bad times ahead."
Maggie's Door, an awesome sequel to Nory Ryan's Song, is a stunning novel about courage, love and determination. Patricia Giff makes it feel as though one was actually there. This is also a book in which the reader will see how far people go for the ones they love.
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