From Booklist
Gr. 6-10. Growing up in the early twentieth century, 12-year-old Jimmy Conway feels removed from the direct consequences of war in Ireland even though his father is a soldier. For Jimmy, the conflict seems to be a complicated adult struggle that has little to do with his life in the slums of Dublin. However, when violence erupts literally down the street, his views about war are shaken, and he learns firsthand about treachery when he must risk his life to find food for his family. Whelan immerses readers in a harsh, yet poignant, journey that finds Jimmy learning much about the Irish people, his family, and most important, himself. The exciting plot moves effortlessly, enhanced by plenty of details to add character depth and historical context, and Whelan wisely avoids both extreme tragedy and overzealous triumph. The result is a fine adventure, with some realistic, genuinely heart-tugging twists. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
'An impressive first novel' -- The Sunday Independent The Sunday Independent 'A fine, humane anti-war novel which young people will relish' -- Books Ireland Books Ireland 'A sensitive portrayal of a boy's forced and traumatic emergence into adolescence' -- Books Ireland Books Ireland 'A striking first novel endowed with a strong sense of the conflicting passions of the time. Some of the scenes are as searing as anything in O'Casey's trilogy' -- Children's Books in Ireland Children's Books in Ireland 'We sweat it out with Jimmy as he confronts horror at every turn. Physically and emotionally in a no-man's land, the boy's perceptions of good men killing one another leave him more scarred than any bullets.' -- Tribune Magazine 'Whelan immerses readers in a harsh, yet poignant, journey that finds Jimmy learning much about the Irish people, his family, and most important, himself. The exciting plot moves effortlessly, enhanced by plenty of details to add character depth and historical context, and Whelan wisely avoids both extreme tragedy and overzealous triumph. The result is a fine adventure, with some realistic, genuinely heart-tugging twists.' -- Roger Leslie - Booklist
