Customer Reviews

Under the Hawthorn Tree (Children of the Famine)

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Having just written a thesis on Irish Nationalists' administration of the Poor Law, I was very interested to read Conlon McKenna's book, which seemed quite honest in its depiction of the fragmentation of the local social fabric in the Irish countryside during the Famine. As a children's book, it combined the required optimism with some very perceptive social comment. It was a very entertaining read and I'd certainly recommend it for children, and adults too!

The story was about three children who were left behind during the famine when their parents left. The story follows them as they escape from going to the workhouse to go to their great aunts. The journey was long and hard . The author describes the scenes very true to the time. The reader's interest is held throughout the book. I found it very exciting and could not wait to get to the end of the story.

I liked this story. It was about 3 kids who lived in the potato famine in Ireland. I was in Ireland at the time I read the book so I understand what a big part of Irish culture potatoes are. I especially liked the character Eily. Her feelings were so strong but she acted responsible enough so that her brother and sister wouldn't see how upset she really was. She was really brave. I liked the character Peggy too but they don't tell much about her. She reminds me of my little brother. I admire all of them for not letting all the awful things they saw discourage them and they made themselves keep going. I was disappointed that they had to leave. I was surprised when they pulled a stunt to not go to the workhouse. One of the kindest characters in the book was Mary-Kate. She offered to let the children into her house and feed and shelter them. Over all this was a very good book and I would recommend it to many people who enjoy historical fiction books.

My mother bought the series for my kids when they last visited Ireland. My kids having been born in Ireland and moved to the US at a young age, she thought they would enjoy. Started reading to the oldest two (9 & 7) as I was also interested in the story. The book is very well written and my 9 yr old would have read it easily. I had to stop after the first two chapters as the kids were upset when the baby died of starvation. The author has truly brought to life the suffering, death and injustice she really captured the time. I completed the book myself it really was excellent though it did also upset me.
In short an excellent well written book but be cautious if your kids are sensitive.

You can read about the Potato Famine in history books and think you understand it but Marita Conlon-McKenna really makes you feel like you're there and you're experiencing it for yourself.

An excellent book for anyone with Irish ancestry or just an interest in Ireland. I'd highly recommend this one for kids in late elementary school on up. Even adults will get a lot out of this book as well as the rest of the books in the series.

In Ireland schools, this book is used in their curriculums.

This book brought the horrors of the Great Potato Famine in Ireland to life. 12 year old Eily and her younger brother, Michael, who is 9, and sister Peggy, who is 7, live in Ireland with their parents during the famine. Their father left to find work and never came back so their mother goes to look for him. But she never returns, either. So the three children set out to find their two great aunts who live in a village that's a long journey away. But can they survive the journey and find their great aunts?