Black Potatoes, The Story of the Great Irish Famine, 1845-1850  •  Susan Campbell Bartoletti HISTORY •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 184 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) The Irish Potato Famine would seem to be an unlikely topic for a children's book, but this juvenile history is accomplished, engaging and admirably forthright. Susan Campbell Bartoletti focuses on the people -- particularly the children -- many of whom starved in record numbers during five years in Ireland in the 19th century. The book is handsomely illustrated with black-and-white period engravings, but it's not a picture book. Amateur historians (ages 9 to 12) will appreciate its thoughtful, challenging approach to the topic. (IRE101, $18.00)
Celtic Wonder-Tales  •  Ella Young  •  Maud Gonne LITERATURE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 203 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A collection of 14 classic Celtic fairy tales, retold for 9 to 12 year-olds and featuring archival illustrations by none other than Maud Gonne, the home-rule activist who was Yeats's sometime muse. (IRE105, $7.95)
Nory Ryan's Song  •  Patricia Reilly Giff LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 148 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A historical novel, set in western Ireland in 1845 and narrated by 12-year-old Nory Ryan, whose family faces starvation as a consequence of the potato blight. Atmospheric and compelling, this book is a fine introduction to the potato famine, English-Irish tensions and the Irish migration to America. Ages 10 to 12. (IRE106, $6.50)
Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland  •  Tomi De Paola BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1994 •  PAPER  • 30 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Trusty children's author/illustrator de Paola retells the story of Saint Patrick in this picture book geared for ages 5 to 8. (IRE104, $6.95)
A Wizard Abroad  •  Diane Duane LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 355 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) One in Duane's popular series of books about the schoolgirl wizard Nita, who in this episode travels to Ireland to aid Irish wizards, fight folkloric demons and drink tea with her auntie. Children 9 to 12 will enjoy this book's creative approach to Irish myth and legend. (IRE113, $6.95)