Maggie's Door

Genre: Historical Fiction

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Maggie's Door. New York: Yearling, 2003.  ISBN: 978-0-440-41581-7

In Ireland in 1845, Nory Ryan is suffering during the great potato famine, as is her friend Sean Red Mallon.  Most of their family members have already left for America.  Nory travels to the port in Galway and finds her way onto a ship headed to America.  She dreams of getting to her sister Maggie’s in Brooklyn.  Even though they don’t leave at the same time, and don’t realize they are on the same ship, Sean and Nory tell their story as they travel on the ship Samson to America.

Giff writes a fascinating tale about a young girl and her struggles to get to America and away from the Great Famine.  Each chapter alternates between Nory’s story and Sean’s story.  Giff really brings out the plight of the famine and how much the Irish suffer.  The imagery that Giff uses throughout the story allows the reader to really envision what happened during that time in Ireland.  With no food and very little clean water to drink, it is amazing that anyone makes it to America alive. 

 “Vivid language, attention to detail, and fully realized characters… heart-wrenching and unforgettable.”  -- Kirkus Reviews

“Giff brings the immigration history to life.”  -- Booklist

To read more about Nory and Sean, check out Giff’s prequel to Maggie’s Door by picking up and reading Nory Ryan’s Song.   Both of Patricia Reilly Giff’s books about Nory Ryan are a great way to introduce some world history to your class. 

Other books about the Irish Potato Famine:

Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly.  ISBN: 978-0446697101

Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. ISBN: 978-0618548835

The Great Hunger: Ireland: 1845-1849 by Cecil Woodham-Smith.  ISBN: 978-0140145151