Irish Civil War 1922-23: AVA's Diary - Softcover

Murphy, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1781998825 ISBN 13: 9781781998823

Publisher: Poolbeg Press Ltd

Synopsis

Life sucks for twelve-year-old Irish American Ava when she is dragged back to Dublin by her mother after her parents messy divorce. She is bullied at her new school and her only friend is moody teenage neighbour Mal, who has secrets of his own.But when Ava finds a sliver of an emerald and a bundle of old letters in the attic, she is plunged into a historical mystery linking the missing crown jewels of Tsarist Russia to the heart of Ireland s bloody civil war in 1922.Who was the author of the letters young medical student Molly O Donovan Why did her brother Jack the Cat smuggle the jewels from the United States And did her football-mad cousin Dan survive running messages through the crossfireThrough the eyes of Molly, Ava encounters the death of Michael Collins, deadly ambushes in Kerry and the tragic fate of former comrades.As Ava learns about the bitter civil war, she is forced to confront the conflict in her own life. Can the journey into the past help her to learn the importance of reconciliation and new beginnings

About this title

Review

Murphy transforms a huge amount of complicated history into a challenging and rewarding read. Careful use of a shady antagonist and clues about the possibly undesirable behaviour of Ava's sidekick will keep any reader engaged and hungry for the next chapter. . . This book is an empowering read for young teens which brings home the importance of team work, friendship and family above all else.  - Children's Books Ireland

The story is fast-paced and gripping. The present day is as engrossing as the past, with Ava trying to come to terms with her parents' split and being bullied. There is intrigue and mystery, based on meticulous historical research. But it also makes reference to current events, such as the situation in present-day Syria.
I recommend adults to read this book too as it will enlighten readers about a period in history rarely discussed outside Ireland. - Historical Novels Society

Edition details

• Publisher: Poolbeg Press Ltd
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781998825
• ISBN 13: 9781781998823
• Binding: Paperback