  | Hunger : a tale of courage Author: Napoli, Donna Jo | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
In the autumn of 1846 in Ireland, twelve-year-old Lorraine and her family struggle to survive during the Irish potato famine, but when Lorraine meets Miss Susannah, the daughter of the wealthy English landowner who owns Lorraine's family's farm, they form an unlikely friendship that they must keep secret due to the deep cultural divide between their two families.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: UG Reading Level: 3.90 Points: 8.0 Quiz: 194118 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 6-8 Reading Level: 4.20 Points: 15.0 Quiz: 72589 | |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/15/17)
School Library Journal (01/01/18)
Booklist (+) (12/15/17)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/02/18)
The Hornbook (00/03/18)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 01/01/2018 Gr 4–6—A sad, weighty tale about young people experiencing hunger firsthand and the sorrow that accompanies loss. Lorraine, 12, is the child of a tenant farmer in County Galway, Ireland, in 1846, at the height of the Potato Famine. The family and their neighbors face extreme poverty and struggle to survive the season. Lorraine befriends Susanna, the daughter of the wealthy landowner, who secretly helps Lorraine and her friends by giving them food. The rocky yet poignant friendship between Lorraine and Susanna keeps readers engaged and fosters a sense of hope. The faith of the adults and children is tested, and parents must decide what to do to save their families: stay in Ireland or move to another part of the world where conditions are better. The Irish people of the time are portrayed as stoic, strong, and proud, but also as victims of the wealthy, ruling British class. The ending may leave some readers wondering about the characters' choices and perhaps disagree with them, which could foster lively discussions. This book fills a unique niche among historical fiction titles due to the subject matter and setting. The extensive back matter supports the authenticity of the story and provides opportunities for further study. VERDICT Give this book to fans of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The War That Saved My Life. A good addition to libraries where historical fiction is popular.—Selene Athas, Glenelg Country School, Ellicott City, MD - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
