The Irish Twins

Twins

by Lucy Fitch Perkins

With Irish twins Larry and Eileen, we enjoy a visit to Granny Malone's and puzzle over the letter she has received from her son in America, a letter that sets the wheels in motion for all sorts of adventures. Along the way the twins encounter gypsies and discover a pig stuck in a bog that brings a change in fortune to their family. While following Larry and Eileen on their adventures, we gain a vivid understanding of the close-knit community life of the Irish countryside, as it existed a century ago.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

From a book jacket: "In 1910, at a crowded school in a poor section of Chicago, Lucy Fitch Perkins found children from twenty-seven different countries learning together. This experience instilled in her a vivid awareness of the task that faced American teachers: to bring out of this potpourri of races one unified nation. Her idea grew into a series of stories, some with geographical backgrounds, others with historical settings. Her goal was to increase sympathy and understanding for the unique qualities of the different nationalities and the heritage left to them and to us by our forebears. The Twins books have received acclaim from librarians, teachers, and parents, but, more important, from the children themselves."

Reviews

[Rebecca]

I chose this one over the other Twins books because my family is Irish and so wanted to acquaint my kids with some of that heritage. This was a good, kid-friendly way to introduce the Troubles as well as give a glimpse of 19-century life in landlord-run Ireland (though no reference to Penal Laws).

[Marilyn]

From a book jacket: "In 1910, at a crowded school in a poor section of Chicago, Lucy Fitch Perkins found children from twenty-seven different countries learning together. This experience instilled in her a vivid awareness of the task that faced American teachers: to bring out of this potpourri of races one unified nation. Her idea grew into a series of stories, some with geographical backgrounds, others with historical settings. Her goal was to increase sympathy and understanding for the unique qualities of the different nationalities and the heritage left to them and to us by our forebears. The Twins books have received acclaim from librarians, teachers, and parents, but, more important, from the children themselves."

[Maxine Rybka]

I'd never heard of these "twins" series but this book was available free so I tried it. I found it a delight and, being set in Ireland, was a perfect setting for the story. Just a plain, old-fashioned read.

[Robin]

Book Club topic is Ireland, so I did a Kindle search on Amazon and discovered this little gem. Delightful story and free!

[Jaeger Matthias]

its good.

[Chris]

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Test message. This is a very intereting read. Would recommend to all my friends. Looking forward to read more book by this author.

[Ginny]

This delightful book intended for elementary school aged children was published in 1913 and centers on an Irish boy and girl whose family lives on a rural farm, paying rent as tenant farmers and taking living the rural life of the times. When their British landlord raises the rent because the father has improved the condition of the farm, the family takes advantage of the opportunity to emigrate to America. A look into life in the rural life of the time is fascinating.

[Heidi Klinowski]

When I was a little girl in the 1950s I read every one of the Twins book my library had. So when I saw a couple well-worn copies at an estate sale recently I snatched them up. By today’s standards there are stereotypes and prejudices but the 1950s version of me enjoyed the trip back in time.

[Ginny B]

A nice introduction for children into life for Irish children in the mid 20th century

[Hope Wiseman]

A story of an Irish family eventually making their way to America. Will read others aloud in the series to my intrigued kiddo.

[Erin Boyle]

RA to kids. Attempts to tell a fictional immigrant's family's story. The kids enjoyed it so-so.

[Raysha Faye Honsowetz]

Read for The Humble Place Kindergarten curriculum. It was a sweet, simple story. Good introduction to another time and place. Looking forward to reading it to my next kindergartener!

[Shelly Moon]

Very sweet children's book about Irish twins Eileen and Larry and their adventures in the Irish village where they were born and how their family immigrated to America. This was a lovely short read and a nice slice of Ireland and America's history.

[Vikki ✨]

I can smell the turf. I can feel the presence of my gorgeous grandparents. I can close my eyes and legit feel like I’m back home in the Emerald Isle ☘️ the nostalgia is real

[Susan Molloy]

This is the story of a fictionalize Irish family with twins – a boy and a girl – who ultimately make their way to the United States of America. But before they emigrate, they find themselves on a slew of adventures in Ireland.

This is a tale that really did not grab my imagination nor my interest very well. At times, the writing was disjointed and sometimes awkward, but it did eventually get the point across at what a generalized notion of Irish children might be like.

🟣Kindle version.

[A Hoppy Reader]

2 stars
Not as good as others by this author.

[Amy]

I liked this better than my son did.