Under the Hawthorn Tree [Hardcover]

Marita Conlon-McKenna (Author), Donald Teskey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

During the Great Famine in Ireland in the 1840s, three children left alone and in danger of being sent to the workhouse set out to find the great-aunts they remember from their mother's stories.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- The horrors of the potato famine in Ireland vividly leap from the pages of this first novel. The O'Driscolls are a poor family whose lives depend on the potato crop. When it fails, they are doomed. The father has left to find work elsewhere, and when he does not return, Mrs. O'Driscoll goes to find him, leaving feisty Eily, the oldest, in charge of her two younger siblings. She also does not return, forcing the children to set out to find two great-aunts about whom they've heard stories; their alternative is going to the workhouse. At this point, the story becomes one of resourceful and determined children seeking to stay together in the hope of being reunited with the rest of their family. The tale is episodic, but should sustain the interest of its target audience. The characters are largely two-dimensional and are sometimes mere vehicles to help tell the history of the period. The book succeeds on this level, and readers are left with a glimmer of hope as the children reach their elderly aunts, but with their future still a mystery. A worthwhile addition. --Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'makes a whole part of our history come alive, while it still remains a thrilling adventure tale.' -- RTE Guide RTE Guide ' ... beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.' -- The Sunday Times 'A great survival saga' -- Irish Independent Irish Independent '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. The intense and horrible suffering and disease would need to be confronted truthfully but without lurid sensationalism. Some sense of an ending would need to be provided. In Under the Hawthorn Tree, Marita Conlon-McKenna confronted these problems with honesty and simplicity: the plight of three children becomes a kind of pilgrimage. The search for survival is not merely that, but also a search to sustain family loyalty and preserve memory.' -- The Big Guide to Irish Children's Books 'the powerful story of the survival of three children, alone, and against the odds.' -- Publishing News 'Marita Conlon-Mckenna handles this appalling event in Irish history sensitively but never compromising the truth of hardship and human suffering.' -- Jane Murphy - writeaway.org.uk '(A) vivid picture of the Famine era' 'fascinating and terrifying' -- Evening Echo --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 153 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823408388
• ISBN-13: 978-0823408382
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,890,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A review by an older reader, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Hawthorn Tree: Children of the Famine (VCB/Puffin) (Paperback)

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!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was both interesting and exciting, August 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Under the Hawthorn Tree (Hardcover)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under the Hawthorn Tree, November 5, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Under the Hawthorn Tree (Hardcover)

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.