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Drumshee Timeline #5
The Famine Secret
It's 1847 and the Great Famine is destroying Ireland. The Drumshee twins, Fiona and Deirdre, and their brothers, Martin and Daniel, are in trouble. The black fever has killed their parents and they have no money left to buy food. They've no choice but to enter the dreaded workhouse. In the workhouse they face a fight for survival. Will they be able to overcome hunger, fever and the Matron's greed? Will Fiona and Deirdre come up with an escape plan? And if they ever get back to Drumshee will they be in time to keep the secret safe because once again, Drumshee is hiding something ...
123 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
23 people want to read
About the author
Cora Harrison
91 books218 followersCora Harrison worked as a headteacher before she decided to write her first novel. She has since published twenty-six children's novels. My Lady Judge was her first book in a Celtic historical crime series for adults that introduces Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Cora lives on a farm near the Burren in the west of Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 1, 2019
This series was my life as a kid! I've spent an age trying to find it again after forgetting almost every single detail of the books beyond a vague summary of some of the plots and how intensely I loved them.
I ended up having to trawl the publication records for the 90s as a whole to finally dig it up. I remember distinctly bringing a stack containing most of the series for poor Cora Harrison to sign at our local library (and yes I did go so far as to ask if they had any records of who came for signings, but alas only the memory of the librarians that worked there at the time).
I must have a reread at some point and maybe peruse the books she's written since we've parted ways.
I ended up having to trawl the publication records for the 90s as a whole to finally dig it up. I remember distinctly bringing a stack containing most of the series for poor Cora Harrison to sign at our local library (and yes I did go so far as to ask if they had any records of who came for signings, but alas only the memory of the librarians that worked there at the time).
I must have a reread at some point and maybe peruse the books she's written since we've parted ways.
March 7, 2013
gr 5-7
1845 Ireland. When the potato famine destroys all the potato crops, the McMahon family initially fares better than most. Having more land than their neighbors, they are able to use their oat to feed themselves and hay crops to feed their farm animals. When their parents die from the black fever, Martin (12 year old), 11 year old twins Fiona and Deirdre, and Daniel are sent to the workhouse. They are determined to survive and find some way to make their dream of returning to their farm come true.
The story provides a lot of information about what life was like in Western Ireland during the potato famine. I recommend this book to someone interested in Irish history and who enjoys a of story survival and working hard to make your dream come true.
1845 Ireland. When the potato famine destroys all the potato crops, the McMahon family initially fares better than most. Having more land than their neighbors, they are able to use their oat to feed themselves and hay crops to feed their farm animals. When their parents die from the black fever, Martin (12 year old), 11 year old twins Fiona and Deirdre, and Daniel are sent to the workhouse. They are determined to survive and find some way to make their dream of returning to their farm come true.
The story provides a lot of information about what life was like in Western Ireland during the potato famine. I recommend this book to someone interested in Irish history and who enjoys a of story survival and working hard to make your dream come true.
March 8, 2013
gr 5-7 123pgs
1845 Ireland. When the potato famine destroys all the potato crops, the McMahon family initially fares better than most. Having more land than their neighbors, they are able to use their oat to feed themselves and hay crops to feed their farm animals. When their parents die from the black fever, Martin (12 year old), 11 year old twins Fiona and Deirdre, and Daniel are sent to the workhouse. They are determined to survive and find some way to make their dream of returning to their farm come true.
The story provides a lot of information about what life was like in Western Ireland during the potato famine. I recommend this book to someone interested in Irish history and who enjoys a of story survival and working hard to make your dream come true.
1845 Ireland. When the potato famine destroys all the potato crops, the McMahon family initially fares better than most. Having more land than their neighbors, they are able to use their oat to feed themselves and hay crops to feed their farm animals. When their parents die from the black fever, Martin (12 year old), 11 year old twins Fiona and Deirdre, and Daniel are sent to the workhouse. They are determined to survive and find some way to make their dream of returning to their farm come true.
The story provides a lot of information about what life was like in Western Ireland during the potato famine. I recommend this book to someone interested in Irish history and who enjoys a of story survival and working hard to make your dream come true.
September 11, 2014
I loved the entire series as a kid. I wanted nothing more than to meet Cora Harrison and go exploring the countryside. Perfect children's books.
July 11, 2016
excellent childrens book which ive remembered right throught to adulthood. Would love to re-read. Just as good as under the hawthorn tree
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews