Nory Ryan's Song Author:Patricia Reilly Giff Nory Ryan's family has lived on Maidin Bay on the west coast of Ireland for generations, raising a pig and a few chickens, planting potatoes, getting by. Every year Nory's father goes away on a fishing boat and returns with the rent money for the English lord who owns their cottage and fields, the English lord bent upon forcing the Irish... more » from their land so he can tumble the cottages and clear the fields for grazing. Times are never easy on Maidin Bay, but this year, a terrible blight attacks the potatoes. No crop means starvation. Twelve-year-old Nory must summon the courage and ingenuity to find food, to find hope, to find a way to help her family survive.« less
Quite a moving, mature children's book concerning the potato famine in Ireland. Tells the story through the eyes a young, responsible girl of about twelve.
Sometimes books written for the younger reader present events in a clearer way than those written for adults. Such was the case with this one. This reader could not help sympathizing with Nory and her family as they experienced the potato famine in Ireland as well as suppression by the English.
There are many themes in this book. Stay positive. Believe in yourself. Recognize people for what they are rather than what they seem to be or what others say about them. This is the case with Anna, a kind elderly woman who lives alone since the death of her husband and son. Her knowledge of herb lore is extensive and she helps all who need her services. Nory, however, has learned to negotiate for Anna as the landowner soon forgets her services in his attempt to remove her from her home.
Good historical novel for the young. I liked it very much.