Review
the powerful story of the survival of three children, alone, and against the odds.' (Publishing News )
A great survival saga' (Irish Independent )
... beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.' (Sunday Times )
makes a whole part of our history come alive, while it still remains a thrilling adventure tale.' (RTÉ Guide )
Product Description
Under the Hawthorn Tree is Ireland's top selling children's book. The phenomenal success of this original and enthralling book is celebrated with this beautiful hardback gift edition. This novel has become a classic for young readers worldwide. Under the Hawthorn Tree continues to go from strength to strength and this new edition is a must for any collection.
Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family, Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great aunts they have heard about in their mother's stories.With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.
About the Author
Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Under the Hawthorn Tree.
Published in May 1990, the book was an immediate success and has been reprinted many times. It remained in the Irish Bestseller List for over two years. As well as being hugely popular in Ireland, Under The Hawthorn Tree also sold to Puffin in Britain and Holiday House in America; it has been translated into French, Dutch, German, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Japanese and Irish. The book has been read on RTÉ Radio and is very popular in schools, both with teachers and pupils, and Marita is the most requested author for school readings. It has been made a supplementary curriculum reader in many schools and is also used by schools in Northern Ireland for EMU (Education through Mutual Understanding) projects.
Under the Hawthorn Tree has been filmed for RTÉ and Channel 4, screened as a four-part series by Channel 4 in March 1999.
Marita went on to write several more books for children which were also very well received. The Blue Horse reached No. 1 on the Bestseller List and in 1993 won the BISTO BOOK OF THE YEAR Award. No Goodbye tells of the heartbreak of a young family when their mother leaves home. It was recommended by Book Trust in their guide for One Parent Families. Safe Harbour is the story of two English children evacuated from London during World War ll to live with their grandfather in Greystones, Co Wicklow. It was shortlisted for the BISTO Book of the Year Award, 1995. Marita's first foray into the world of fantasy, In Deep Dark Wood, was a huge success. A strange new neighbour spirits Mia to a land of legend, and her brother Rory faces dragons and danger to rescue her in this story of wonder and magic.
Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.
