Avoid Sailing on an Irish Famine Ship!

by Jim Pipe, David Antram

Describes the potato famine that struck Ireland in the 1840s, and discusses what life was like on the ships that the Irish took to America in order to escape the famine.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, School, Historical

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Jim Pipe studied Ancient & Modern History at Oxford University, then spent ten years in publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He has written numerous non-fiction books for children, many on historical subjects. He lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his lovely wife Melissa and his twin sons.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books and this one is no exception tells a story and asks the reader to assume an identity of a person living through the historical event. In this book you are Brian Walsh, a farmer living in west Ireland in the 1840's. As you read, your journey unfolds step by step as your potato crops rot; you receive a small amount of charity but are finally evicted from your home. Your landlord offers you passage to America. “You accept it: it's your only hope”

The majority of the book focuses on the perilous journey Irish immigrants made to America to avoid the horrors of home. However the voyage has just as much horrors in store, rotten food, leaking ships, icebergs and the dreaded fever that earned these vessels the nickname “coffin ships”

This is a fast read and great for readers who like action and learning quick facts. The format of this series includes several text boxes with facts scattered around the page, similar to the DK Eyewitness books. There is also a section in the upper right corner on each page called Handy Hints which gives the reader assuming their historical role tips on how to survive. My only problem with the book is that because of its length it doesn't go into to much detail and sugarcoats some of the tragic facts. Perhaps it better since the prospect of sailing on a famine ship is enough to turn readers' stomaches

Read the full review at my blog: The Non Fiction Manifesto
http://non-fic-manifesto.blogspot.com...

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

IRISH FAMINE SHIP
“Avoid Sailing on an Irish Famine Ship!: The Danger Zone”
****
1845 famine hits! - “During the Famine, 1.5 million Irish people die. To cope with the numbers, bodies are buried using 'sliding coffins'. The bottom of the coffin opens, dropping the body into a large pit. Then the coffin can be used again.” (p12)

On board to North America - “FIRE! Cooking on deck is risky. 9,000 emigrants die from fires on board.” (p18)

Journey's End - “The docks swarm with 'runners'. … They will steal your luggage.
Many emigrants are forced to accept dangerous job, such as laying explosives to blast a path for railroads.
N.I.N.A. - Many job adverts say, 'No Irish Need Apply'.” (p28)

“By 1850 there were more Irish in New York than in Dublin, the capital of Ireland.
John Wayne had Irish ancestors.” (p29)
- - - -

[Dian · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time I saw this book, I knew this one will be history picture book relate. But the illustration is really cute.. And now I know how bad was that time..When the Irish crossed the ocean to the land of the dream...America.... *) rent from molly library bus, AMK hub, march 200

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Guan Jie Fung · Rating 4 out of 5]

The danger zone is a great book company. They make funny and epic animations while telling you the kind of boring history facts.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm currently addicted to these books.

[Jen Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series is fabulous. Tons of historical information in a format that is engaging for kids. The boys especially like these, and read them just for fun. There are dozens of them.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a glimpse of how difficult life was for Irish immigrants who left their homes after the potato famine.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of people fleeing an Irish famine.

Some of the facts were interesting, but this book lacked depth.

Reading time around thirty minutes.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books

[enlam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was incredibly helpful for my 4th grade project on the Irish Potato Famine.