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My Story: Girls
The Hunger: An Irish Girl's Diary, 1845-1847
It's 1845 and blight has destroyed the precious potato crop leaving Ireland starving. Phyllis works hard to support her struggling family, but when her mother's health deteriorates she sets off in search of her rebel brother and is soon swept up in the fight for a free and fair Ireland...
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2001
18 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Carol Drinkwater
41 books436 followersCarol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress, author and filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 18, 2021
I picked up Carol Drinkwater's book about the Irish potato famine because my mother's family came from Ireland and I was interested to know what my ancestors experienced in this terrible crisis. (Drinkwater's family is also Irish). More than one million people died between 1846 and 1851, some from starvation, and some from the diseases that preyed on the weakened people. The Hunger tells the story from the perspective of Phyllis who is 14 in 1845 when the first potato blight appeared.
Obviously, since the point of this series of 'first person' books is to educate young people, Phyllis knows far more about what is happening than the average 14 year old of the time would have known. Phyllis is literate, for example, which would not have been common for girls. She meets people who write for the newspaper that is agitating to free Ireland from England's control. Her brother, Pat, is a radical on the run from the police. But if you get over that bit of imagination, (and I had no problem doing so), the book is quite a good overall read, and eye-opening. The treatment that the Irish suffered at the hands of the English landlords is appalling, and tragic; it seems pretty obvious in retrospect that the trauma that was endured fueled the Irish rebellion for generations. Irish 'peasants' who were unable to pay their rent were evicted, and their houses burned. The food that was produced in Ireland was exported for a higher price to other countries. The English Parliament delayed the release of the corn despite mass starvation. The New World prejudices against Irish people (they are lazy and will happily take handouts rather than work) stem from this period when they were starving and had no choice but to take help.
A keen reader will note that some of these themes are being played out in other countries into our own time...different famines, same old cruelties. It makes this kind of historical reading very relevant to today's front page news.
Obviously, since the point of this series of 'first person' books is to educate young people, Phyllis knows far more about what is happening than the average 14 year old of the time would have known. Phyllis is literate, for example, which would not have been common for girls. She meets people who write for the newspaper that is agitating to free Ireland from England's control. Her brother, Pat, is a radical on the run from the police. But if you get over that bit of imagination, (and I had no problem doing so), the book is quite a good overall read, and eye-opening. The treatment that the Irish suffered at the hands of the English landlords is appalling, and tragic; it seems pretty obvious in retrospect that the trauma that was endured fueled the Irish rebellion for generations. Irish 'peasants' who were unable to pay their rent were evicted, and their houses burned. The food that was produced in Ireland was exported for a higher price to other countries. The English Parliament delayed the release of the corn despite mass starvation. The New World prejudices against Irish people (they are lazy and will happily take handouts rather than work) stem from this period when they were starving and had no choice but to take help.
A keen reader will note that some of these themes are being played out in other countries into our own time...different famines, same old cruelties. It makes this kind of historical reading very relevant to today's front page news.
January 17, 2016
This is such a heartwarming story of Phyllis and her family's struggle against hunger. It was a very enlightening experience for me, because I wasn't aware of the potato disease that hit Ireland back in 1845, so to read a firsthand account of the suffering this caused many families was distressing and heart-wrenching.
Phyllis is such a strong girl, and her journey was one of strength and resilience. Her loyalty and her love for her family is unequivocal. She will go above and beyond to make sure they survive. As she watches other families starve and leave their homes and die, she goes out and looks for work as a maid servant to help her parents put food on the table. However, as her rebellious, revolutionary brother leaves them to fight for Ireland's rights and freedom, her family is questioned and watched for any signs of betrayal.
Phyllis has the biggest heart out there, her love for her dog, and her refusal to let the dog starve brought tears to my eyes. She brings out the best in people because of her big heart, and this includes a young gentleman, who Phyllis has been secretly infatuated with. Their seemingly impossible love story was such a sweet contrast to the suffering taking place around her. And yet when her mother's health deteriorates, she makes the decision to go looking for her brother, whom her mother keeps asking about and is separated from her family, her love, and her work.
Beautifully tragic story.
Phyllis is such a strong girl, and her journey was one of strength and resilience. Her loyalty and her love for her family is unequivocal. She will go above and beyond to make sure they survive. As she watches other families starve and leave their homes and die, she goes out and looks for work as a maid servant to help her parents put food on the table. However, as her rebellious, revolutionary brother leaves them to fight for Ireland's rights and freedom, her family is questioned and watched for any signs of betrayal.
Phyllis has the biggest heart out there, her love for her dog, and her refusal to let the dog starve brought tears to my eyes. She brings out the best in people because of her big heart, and this includes a young gentleman, who Phyllis has been secretly infatuated with. Their seemingly impossible love story was such a sweet contrast to the suffering taking place around her. And yet when her mother's health deteriorates, she makes the decision to go looking for her brother, whom her mother keeps asking about and is separated from her family, her love, and her work.
Beautifully tragic story.
October 18, 2020
I am really getting into historical fiction lately and this one was spot on!
It’s a VERY easy read, I finished it in a matter of hours. I learnt so much about Ireland in this era, but it doesn’t feel like a history book at all, it is told through the eyes of a child.
Beautiful. Highly recommend!
It’s a VERY easy read, I finished it in a matter of hours. I learnt so much about Ireland in this era, but it doesn’t feel like a history book at all, it is told through the eyes of a child.
Beautiful. Highly recommend!
October 15, 2024
i don’t know if anyone remembered reading these ‘my story’ books in primary school but i loved them!!! i found this second hand and thought i would read it again and it is such a great way to learn about history, through diary entries from a young girl. loved it!!!
January 7, 2017
This is a wonderful story geared towards young girls and meant to educate them in a fun way on what has been going on in the world over the past few hundred years.
This particular story takes place in Irelans during the potato famine when the main staple of the poor, potatoes, caught a blight and ruined the crops for almost two years.
We follow the life of a young girl and see through her eyes what happened to the joe blow farmer when there was not enough to feed his family. Young sons went off to join the militant groups rebelling agianst England, fathers protested the export of food so despratly needed to feed their families, mothers set to theiving to feed their young ones, and children are sent to work for pennies a day hauling rocks for roads that they'll never be paid for and never be used.
A real eye opener into our past, and a recomended read for any age wanting to have fun learning about human history.
This particular story takes place in Irelans during the potato famine when the main staple of the poor, potatoes, caught a blight and ruined the crops for almost two years.
We follow the life of a young girl and see through her eyes what happened to the joe blow farmer when there was not enough to feed his family. Young sons went off to join the militant groups rebelling agianst England, fathers protested the export of food so despratly needed to feed their families, mothers set to theiving to feed their young ones, and children are sent to work for pennies a day hauling rocks for roads that they'll never be paid for and never be used.
A real eye opener into our past, and a recomended read for any age wanting to have fun learning about human history.
April 2, 2013
Loved this book! It truly opened my eyes to what the Potato Famine in Ireland was like in 1845 to 1848. Phyllis McCormack the main character of the book has the same name as the author Carol Drinkwater's mother as mentioned in the book before it started. Phyllis is a brave young woman who does everything she can to support her suffering family when the famine hits. She would do anything for het family and sets off to find her beloved brother Patrick when her mother starts to get really sick and wishes to see her son one last time. Sadly her mother dies when their house is burnt down and her family is forced to flee without her after she returns home without a sign of her brother. These were bad times heaps of people suffered the same fate and millions and millions of people died and starved from no food or water so those that survive a lot of them flee to America and Canada. Along the way to fight for a Ireland free from English rule she falls in love with her family's landlords son Edward. They have a strong friendship. She mentions throughout the book that he dosen't love her the way she loves him. It was quite frustrating until she writes in the epilogue in September 1848 "Edward and I never left each others side. The love I have dreamed he would one day feel for me blossomed on those summer hills. I tasted my first exquisite kiss beneath the rush of a golden Tipperary moon." That made me really happy because I longed to see if Edward would return the feelings she had for him after all the years they met! It made me even happier when she says her sister Grace asks at the end of the book if she and Edward intend marry when they reach America and also says " He loves you so, it shines out of him, and look what he has done for us all." She also adds "If you don't tell me I'll ask him." Phyllis replies saying "Perhaps one day." I was eager to find out more about what happened to them I felt the book was too short! I started it yesterday and finished today! I love love love it! :)
January 23, 2013
Spectacularly written book. I picked it up and before I knew it, I was finished with it. Not a small feat for a slow reader like myself, especially given that it was more than 200 pages in length. I was completely engrossed in it. It is in diary form and a very quick read. The writing invites the reader to walk in the life of this tremendous young woman as she lives through one of the worst famines in world history. The loss she experiences is extraordinary, but yet she is able to not only survive but thrive in the midst of it. She meets the love of her life in the most unexpected place. Who would have thought that the lives of a simple peasant girl would intertwine so beautifully with that of a rich young son of a absentee landlord. If you enjoy reading books that inspire you even through very difficult times then please don't hesitate to read this book. It is a little hard to come by but can be purchased online on Amazon. It was published in the UK and so the copy I have was shipped internationally but wasn't to expensive. Well worth every penny in my opinion. Excellent book.
March 1, 2010
This book is one in the My Story series. The books in this series are fictional diaries of young girls living during different periods of British, Scottish, and Irish history.
Phyllis McCormack, called Phylly, is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Ireland in 1845. Her family is better off than most poor Irish farm families. Phylly even has a job as a maid at the landlord's estate. But when a terrible disease attacks the potato crop, Phylly's family suffers as much as everyone else. Phylly fights to keep her spirits up through her family's struggle for survival and even experiences the wonder of first love, recording everything that happens in her diary.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical diaries. If you love Dear America, you are sure to love the My Story series. The setting is fascinating, the diary format appealing, and Phylly's character is very likeable.
Phyllis McCormack, called Phylly, is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Ireland in 1845. Her family is better off than most poor Irish farm families. Phylly even has a job as a maid at the landlord's estate. But when a terrible disease attacks the potato crop, Phylly's family suffers as much as everyone else. Phylly fights to keep her spirits up through her family's struggle for survival and even experiences the wonder of first love, recording everything that happens in her diary.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical diaries. If you love Dear America, you are sure to love the My Story series. The setting is fascinating, the diary format appealing, and Phylly's character is very likeable.
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April 20, 2020My first encounter with the 'My story' series.
They're quick and easy to read and give a great insight into different aspects of history. This one focusing on the potato famine in Ireland. Each book takes a diary format enabling the author to tell one possible experience.
At the back of the book there are historical notes outlying general facts and information on the potato famine as a whole. A great way to give insights in to historical accounts. This book also hinted at some of the political problems at the time.
After reading this book I sought out others in the series and have loved them all!
They're quick and easy to read and give a great insight into different aspects of history. This one focusing on the potato famine in Ireland. Each book takes a diary format enabling the author to tell one possible experience.
At the back of the book there are historical notes outlying general facts and information on the potato famine as a whole. A great way to give insights in to historical accounts. This book also hinted at some of the political problems at the time.
After reading this book I sought out others in the series and have loved them all!
January 10, 2011
Phylly is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Ireland in 1845. Her family is better off than most poor Irish farm families. Phylly even has a job as a maid at the landlord's estate. But when a terrible disease attacks the potato crop, Phylly's family suffers as much as everyone else. Phylly fights to keep her spirits up through her family's struggle for survival and even experiences the wonder of first love. This should have been the sort of book I had to read at school instead of the tatty old 30yr old rubbish I was given.
January 8, 2011
Phylly is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Ireland in 1845. Her family is better off than most poor Irish farm families. Phylly even has a job as a maid at the landlord's estate. But when a terrible disease attacks the potato crop, Phylly's family suffers as much as everyone else. Phylly fights to keep her spirits up through her family's struggle for survival and even experiences the wonder of first love. This should have been the sort of book I had to read at school instead of the tatty old 30yr old rubbish I was given.
April 17, 2011
This book was about a girl, Phyllis, in the middle of the Irish potato blight in 1845. Everyone is starving, and Phyllis has to get a job to provid for her family. Because the story is told through Phyllis' eyes, I don't really understand the political situation, but I got the general idea. I liked this book because it was heavy, but also easy to read anytime.
April 22, 2013
Very good book, well written and engaging. I liked that it was written as a diary. I didn't know a lot about the Irish Famine and it made me curious to learn more. Overall a very quick read but worth the time.
September 14, 2009
This was a good book! I enjoyed it and I recommed people who are not that into books should read it!
May 26, 2010
Set during the Irish potato famine.
September 8, 2018
this book it about phyllis a young irish girl in the times of the potato famine i liked the titanic a bit more than this but this was still very good
January 18, 2019
Another incredible story, this My Story series is incredible and focuses so deeply on historical times that seem to go unknown and untaught. This book was amazing, thrilling, so educational and I seriously again could have kept reading Phylly’s story as she travelled on, it was so fascinating.
Phyllis McCormack is an Irish potato farmers daughter, as the crops all around Ireland are diseased and inedible all the families suffering and starving, being evicted and having no place to go. Jobs very scares as only the landowners had the money; Seeing their loved ones dying they start to fear as the British government almost pretty much refused to provide enough help for them, or Deneb Ireland the grant of its own freedom and independence. As the months turn to years and people are continuously dying, crops continuing to be diseased, others being sent away due to crimes or for a new better life still more and more people suffering so many knew they had to do something to fight back. Phylly joins her love and friend Edward in Dublin where groups of Young Irelanders her long lost brother Pat included were fighting, where she herself learns to fight against the cruelty and injustice being served to the Irelanders. All fighting for a better world for their people.
Honestly this was just so thrilling and I didn’t even think I’d enjoy this book this much but I really and honestly did.
Phyllis McCormack is an Irish potato farmers daughter, as the crops all around Ireland are diseased and inedible all the families suffering and starving, being evicted and having no place to go. Jobs very scares as only the landowners had the money; Seeing their loved ones dying they start to fear as the British government almost pretty much refused to provide enough help for them, or Deneb Ireland the grant of its own freedom and independence. As the months turn to years and people are continuously dying, crops continuing to be diseased, others being sent away due to crimes or for a new better life still more and more people suffering so many knew they had to do something to fight back. Phylly joins her love and friend Edward in Dublin where groups of Young Irelanders her long lost brother Pat included were fighting, where she herself learns to fight against the cruelty and injustice being served to the Irelanders. All fighting for a better world for their people.
Honestly this was just so thrilling and I didn’t even think I’d enjoy this book this much but I really and honestly did.
November 12, 2020
Aimed at Years 6-7, the My Story series aims to deliver an element of history to younger readers couched in a story, told in diary format, making the chunks of text easily digestible, but compelling and chock full of history.
This book tells of the 1845 Potato Famine in Ireland putting it into the context of British colonial rule, absentee English landlords, the 1800 Act of Union with government centralised in Westminster, the class divide, religious difference, subsistence farming and the rise of Irish nationalism. Quite a lot to pack into 205 pages!!
This book tells of the 1845 Potato Famine in Ireland putting it into the context of British colonial rule, absentee English landlords, the 1800 Act of Union with government centralised in Westminster, the class divide, religious difference, subsistence farming and the rise of Irish nationalism. Quite a lot to pack into 205 pages!!
February 9, 2025
Okay omg I read this book when I was in the 8th grade, when I was like, 12 years old, and I remember looking at the girl on the cover and thinking how mature she looked and stuff.
AND NOW, AS A 30 YEAR OLD, WHOLLY CRAP SHE LOOKS LIKE A BABY. Wow. I can't even right now.
AND NOW, AS A 30 YEAR OLD, WHOLLY CRAP SHE LOOKS LIKE A BABY. Wow. I can't even right now.
May 7, 2017
Read this to help with doing my family tree.I like to get a feel for the era I am researching and this litttle book has really helped with the political timeline as well.
March 11, 2018
I want to read it with my friends.
December 2, 2018
I really enjoyed the story and the historical accuracy of this book! It's an easy read but well worth it!
December 28, 2019
Nice but truly sad. Spoiler alert, her baby sister dies and so does her mum
February 1, 2020
Very well written. Good easy read
September 16, 2020
Moving and a reminder of the past history between our countries
September 3, 2021
This book was amazing and sad her mother died and happy that she got a job and try’s to help her family out though the entire book Phyllis is my favourite character
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
I quite enjoyed this book, nice little tale with a good amount of real history incorporated. Nice quick, easy read!
January 3, 2024
It’s was very informative and very clear on what happened in Ireland of the potato famine. Very sad, and a lovely ending that some of the family survived
April 25, 2024
Very quick read of life and history during Ireland's potatoe famine. Reads as a diary by Phyllis McCormack age of 14 to 16 of her family's struggle to survive.
December 4, 2025
Amazing,dramatic book will she ever see her family again…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews