Sally in the City of Dreams

by Judi Curtin

Crossing the ocean for a new life 

I looked up and the American flags on the roof seemed miles and miles away in the blue, blue, sky. I looked along the street, and the building seemed to go on forever.

It's 1911 and young sisters Sally and Bridget are sailing to New York to find work – leaving behind their home and everything they know in Ireland. The city is so big and strange, but the sisters and their new friend Julia are determined to make the most of this exciting new world. They have each other, and if they work hard, New York is full of opportunities.

Then, when a false accusation threatens to destroy everything, the girls realise there's nothing more important than sticking together.

Genres: Middle Grade

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2023

Reviews

[Gabbie Pop]

A fabulous historical read for young readers, that doesn't shy away from exploring the darker events of the past, but also never feels exploitative of the trauma, and offers light at the end of the tunnel and moments of respite amongst the darkness.

[Alison May Cotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Lily At Lisideal, you'll love this.
Set in the past, Sally and her older sister go to America to earn money for their family. A heartfelt read.

[Leona (ateachersguidetoreading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally in the City of Dreams is a fabulous historical fiction book perfect for introducing children to the story of Irish immigration to America. It shows us the hardships of leaving our loved ones behind and learning to adjust to a new life whilst also delving deeper into important issues of the time, such as discrimination faced by Irish immigrants in the US.

We see Sally and her sister Bridget emigrate to America for work and more opportunities. The book begins by pulling on the heartstrings as the girls leave their close knit family unit behind. It also pays heed to the fact that many who had to immigrate for economic reasons sadly never had the chance to return.

On the boat the sisters befriend Julia, a young orphan from Killarney. We also get a glimpse of third class passenger facilities.As the girls disembark they soon learn that not everything comes up roses in the big city. They are brought to Ellis Island to be checked over. Cousin Catherine turns out to be rather stern and uncaring but the girls stick together and put all their efforts into their new jobs. But soon a case of mistaken identity threatens to ruin their new life.

I adored Sally's voice and optimism throughout the book, despite the many hardships thrown in her path. The letters home, sprinkled throughout the story, gave an authentic feel to what it was like as an immigrant at the time. With over 6 million Irish people emigrating to America since 1820 it's a great topic for children to learn about through Sally's eyes and letters.

I loved the little glimpse of Judi's grandmother's immigration story at the end.

This book is perfect for fans of Wildflower Girl by Martina Conlon-McKenna and I hope this is just the start of Sally's story and we have more books covering her time in America.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet, and educational too. It shows children that they can be brave and bold, and that honesty and treating people well is important.

[Mollie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book I loved how they never gave up when she had the court case and I picked how the woman cane to help them

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute I can't

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judi Curtin is an Irish author who has now written 30 books! She loves to write books that send her characters on journeys of exploration and discovery around the world and Sally In the City of Dreams is no exception. As with most authors Judi Curtin’s stories are usually the creation of her imagination but this one is different. This one is based on her own family history, and it is fascinating. Her grandmother, Mary Anne, left Ireland in the early 1900s and travelled to New York. She had grown up in Ireland, one of nine children and as there was little work for women she took her chance, along with many others, and sailed to America. She took her sister, Kate along with her too and they stayed with an aunt before finding places to stay with friends or with families they were nannies for. Mary Anne met her husband in America and, him being Irish too they moved back home in 1921.

Sally and her sister Bridget leave their Irish homeland, its beautiful countryside, in 1911. They leave behind everything they know and make their way to New York to seek out a new life in a city where the buildings seem to go on forever. They don’t know if they truly want to go, they have their doubts but, on their voyage, they meet a young orphan girl, Julia. She is travelling alone, hoping she can find her long-absent brother and stay with him. When the three friends reach New York what they discover is a City of Dreams far more difficult to live in than they could have ever imagined. They face a seemingly endless list of troubles including being wrongfully accused of theft, homesickness, travel sickness on the subway and more… But they have one thing that keeps them going, through everything that life wants to throw at them. Their friendship. As they begin to find their way in this big, new, unknown they know that they have one another.