MMGM: Lucky Reads: Top Middle Grade Books to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Although I am only a tiny bit Irish on my paternal grandmother’s side, this is one of my favorite holidays. We love playing Irish music, eating Irish food, and of course, eating or drinking something green. 

So, in honor of today, I picked out a few books for the middle grade set which have Irish themes. Strangely enough, these were not easy to find.

 

SET in Ireland:

 

For Younger Middle Grade and/or a Classroom Read Aloud:

 

 

Megan’s Year: An Irish Traveler’s Story (Tales of the World) by Gloria Whelan

 

Through the voice of a young girl, the life of the people known as Irish Travelers is explored. Megan spends her summers traveling around the Irish countryside with her family. They move from place to place, hauling their camper behind their old car. But they aren't on vacation. This is their way of life. Megan and her family are Travelers. As part of their summer life, Megan's father works odd jobs, from fieldwork to roofing houses. Despite the rough living, Megan loves her life and the freedom that comes from traveling the open road. But at summer's end, when there's no more work to be had, the family moves to the city of Dublin. The camper is parked and they move into a cramped house. Megan and her siblings attend the local school as their parents struggle to make ends meet. And as the seasons pass, Megan counts down the days until she can return to her summer life.  (from Amazon)

 

My Take

This book is actually a picture book but is longer and more detailed than your typical picture book. Anything by Whelan is guaranteed to be filled with rich details and research, and I found this title particular interesting because I learned so much about Irish Travelers. Megan’s father moves throughout Ireland taking odd jobs in the summer, but then during the colder months, they must live in Dublin, where she sometimes encounters prejudice, but also understanding teachers. I thought this book presented this Irish subculture in a beautiful way, and I loved how the family was depicted.

This could be an interesting book for teachers to share while learning about other cultures or Ireland.

Upper Middle 

 

Breda’s Island by Jessie Ann Foley

After Breda Moriarity gets caught stealing one too many times, Breda's mom sends her to Ireland, a place she has never been, to live with the grandfather she has never met.

While Breda doesn’t want to be in this strange land, she finally gets to meet Granda, her mom’s father. He’s a grumpy farmer who is also a seanchaí, a traditional Gaelic storyteller. But the most important story is the one nobody will talk about: what happened to her absent father. If nothing else this summer, Breda is determined to figure out the truth about her family’s history—and herself. (from Amazon)

My Take

This book for upper MG gripped me right away. Breda is sent to live with her Irish grandfather on his farm for the summer because she’d been caught stealing—and her mom has a third time you’re out policy. Grandma is difficult to live with, and Breda starts off the trip quite angry. But throughout the book, she learns how to care for animals (and helps birth a baby calf, Bo!), make friends with outsiders, and figure out the mystery of her father. I really loved the themes of forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and how knowing a person's history helps you be more compassionate. The characters and the setting were also richly detailed. After reading this, I felt like I just came back from a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Caveat: This book does deal with some more mature themes (estrangement and abandonment, immigration issues, and abuse at an orphanage) and might not be for sensitive readers.

NOT set in Ireland, but with Irish-American characters:

 

Lower Middle Grade 

 

Sophie Steps Up by Nancy Rue
 
Sophie knows how it feels to be the new girl—different and "weird." She also remembers needing a friend. When a new girl in class is assigned to Sophie's drama group, she wants to get to know her. Sophie learns to accept her new friend's culture. But how will the other Corn Flakes teach others about acceptance if they cannot seem to learn themselves? (from Amazon)
 

My Take

Although this is the only book I've read of this series, it wasn't too difficult to pick up in the middle of Sophie's story. I loved the warmth and support of Sophie’s family, and how that didn't mean they always got along perfectly. I also enjoyed her friend group, The Corn Flakes, who treat each other and even their rivals with respect. Her imaginative daydreams were also fun. It was refreshing to see a child seeing a therapist in a positive light. But the best part of this book was Sophie’s character growth in learning to accept a new classmate from Northern Ireland, whom she doesn't like at first. It’s Sophie’s counselor and a Bible story that convince her to include stories of the classmate’s life in Northern Ireland in their play. This is a great faith-based read that also centers on family and school situations.

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):

 

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):
 
Megan’s Year: 5/5 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
There’s a dog in all the pictures! Even though he doesn’t get a speaking part.
 
Breda’s Island: 4/5 🦴🦴🦴🦴
I’d like to meet Bo the cow. Moo!

Sophie Steps Up: 1/5🦴
No dogs! Again!

Your Turn:

Do you have any special traditions for St. Patrick’s Day? What is your favorite read set in Ireland or about Irish-Americans?

If you'd like to read more middle grade reviews or join in the MMGM fun, go to Greg Pattridge's Always in the Middle blog.