The Grave

by James Heneghan

Abandoned in a department store as a baby, thirteen-year-old Tom Mullen has been shuffled from one rotten foster home to another his entire life. When he hears rumors that a mass grave has been unearthed on his school grounds, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to it. The grave pulls Tom down into its terrible darkness and beyond, where he discovers that he is no longer in Liverpool in 1974 but in Ireland in 1847, at the height of the potato famine. A family named Monaghan takes him in, and for the first time Tom experiences what it is like to have parents and siblings who care for one another.

But why has Tom been transported through time and space? And why must the grave keep yanking him back to his dreary lonely existence in Liverpool? Most of all, what does it mean that the Monaghan's son, Tully, is practically Tom's double?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Time Travel

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

James Heneghan (born 1930) is a British Canadian author. Heneghan grew up Liverpool, England, and currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. He earned Canadian citizenship in 1963.

Series:
* The O'Brien Detective Agency

Awards:
* Arthur Ellis Award: Juvenile
o 1995 – Torn Away – Winner

* Sheila A. Egoff Children's Book Prize
o 1998 – Wish Me Luck – Winner
o 2001 – The Grave – Winner
o 2003 – Flood – Winner

Reviews

[Mike Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in 2013 which was written for young people. Published in Canada in 2000, it's historical fiction based in Liverpool and Ireland.

Although it's written in a light and often humorous style, the subject matter is sobering: the plight of Irish who were dying during the famines in the mid 19th century.

The story is told in the first person by thirteen year old Tom Mullen set in 1974 Liverpool where he is struggling through a succession of foster homes. At night while exploring a construction site excavation to expand his school, he discovers an old graveyard, and falls through time to 1847 Ireland which is in the midst of the plague. He saves the life of a drowning boy and then is taken in by the boy's family.

Flip-flopping through time several times during the book, we learn about awful conditions both in the British foster home service in the 1970s and much worse again in 1840s Ireland. Eventually Tom learns a secret which ends his time travel but leaves the reader very satisfied.

I loved reading this book because it was a quick read of just over 200 pages but also brought to life the hardships of times gone by which, though they may be far away in time, are never really gone from the world. The spirited way this book tells a story of impossibly hard times, and the way people overcome adversity, are inspiring. Most definitely recommended.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrible title and cover. It's not a depressing novel, nor a horror. Sure, it's kind of intense, but mostly it's just an interesting Time Slip: orphan in Liverpool in 1974/ potato famine in Ireland in 1847. Recommended.

[Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was starting to get tired of my series of teen time travel books, but I liked this one a lot by the end. The protagnoist, Tommy, is looking for something on the other side of the vortex that he falls through--the same thing that a lot of us are looking for if we travel: romance, new experience, a chance to trace cultural heritage, maybe even a chance to make a difference. In this case though, Tommy's an orphan too, and he's looking for a sense of family that he's never had. Anyway, I thought it was endearing. Since it's about the potato faminine, I appreciated every meal that I had with my family while reading it.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was a surprise. I picked up this book at a book sale, not knowing anything about it. Turns out it's YA (surprise). I enjoyed the story quite a bit. This could very well have been a favorite read had I discovered it at about 12 years old. It has troubles, time travel, mystery. It's a good story of coming to terms with the past, the importance of family (past and present), friendship and loyalty. It also includes some history of the Irish famine, based on a real finding of a mass grave.
This is a well told tale.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

gave it four stars for worth as a book, although it's only three stars for my personal enjoyment (unhappy foster child in present time travels to experience the Irish Famine first hand, so not a cozy comfort read)

[Jhazmyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short summary:
A boy named Tom who lives in 1970’s England stumbles upon a mass grave and when he is near it he is sucked back in time to 1840’s Ireland, during the potato famine. There he meets a family who takes him in and he needs to figure out why he was brought back to this time and place.


I absolutely loved this book! Since this is a historical-fiction book with some time travel, this book wasn’t normally my style, but I enjoyed this book very much and will probably always remember it. I especially loved how the book was narrated. It was like the main character was telling you the story himself and the way he talked to you throughout the book was really entertaining and funny. The beginning of this book was a little confusing but once I got a little bit more into the story it made sense.

I highly recommend this book and it is definitely worth reading!

[Caleb Edison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a thrift store for 10 cents, not realizing it was a young adult novel. I read it anyway and found that I liked it! I dont usually read young adult books, but the historical fiction I thought was clever.

It's a great coming of age story. Tommy gets a perspective shift after he falls in love with a family from 1847. I didn't know much about that time period in England and am fascinated that there are still mass graves potentially undiscovered in that area. Read the author's note.

[Haylie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book in my schools L.A class and I hated it. The storyline, plot and characters were just not it.

[Barb Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. A good young adult book.

[Cade Bengert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taught this to my Grade 9 students. Fun for them, very predictable for me. Reads like "baby's first time travel story." At least it's set in an uncommon time period for stories of this genre.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom is a loner. He always has been- since he was abandoned in a department store when he was a year old. He's moved from foster home to foster home. The only constant has been Brian, an older mentally challenged boy who has moved from the last couple of foster homes with him. One night Tom (and Brian) go to the construction sight across from their school. Tom had felt a pull to the hole ever since they started working on it. The hole is surrounded by a tent and there is a night watch guard, but he MUST go to it. When he does, he is sucked into a world that will teach him so much about himself.

Heneghan mixes the story of Tom's life as a foster child with the story of his journeys in Ireland during the Irish Potato Famine in 1847. It is a good mix between the realistic fiction and historical fiction, although sometimes the jump from one to the other is unexpected. I do love that the book touches on two topics: foster care and the Irish Potato Famine.

* * *

For a challenge that I participated in, I made a playlist for the novel:
1. Live- Alone
2. She & Him- Black Hole
3. Gorillaz- Don't Get Lost in Heaven
4. Hanson- Crazy Beautiful
5. Beatles- A Little Help from your Friends
6. Nine Inch Nails- Big Man with a Gun
7. Al Green- Ain't No Sunshine When Your Gone
8. Eric Carmen- Hungry Eyes
9. Rock Kills Kid- Run Like Hell
10. Ok Go- Hello my Treacherous Friends
11. Jet- Move On
12. John Williams- Finding Satsu
13. Nine Inch Nails- Dead Souls
14. Hanson- When You're Gone
15. Adele- First Love
16. Jill Scott- Family Reunion

I chose the songs based on the plot and feelings portrayed in the novel.

[Cheryl A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Tom Mullen, aged thirteen and three quarters, has lost every family he's ever know. Abandoned as a baby in Toys at a department store in Liverpool, his adoptive parents were killed and he's been shuffled from foster home to foster home, with a few stops at Juvie in between. When Tom is drawn to an excavation site at his school, he suddenly finds himself transported to County Mayo, Ireland and meets the Monaghan family. Despite the ravages of the potato famine, Tom finally finds the family he has been searching for, but there's a little problem of more than a hundred years of history between his real life and the life he so desperately wants.

Full of the problems and social customs of the 1970's as well as poignant descriptions of everyday life of the bleakness of Ireland in the 1840's, the author does a wonderful job of balancing the two worlds. The lead character of Tom grows as a young man through his experiences in Ireland and those lessons learned carry over to his life in "his" time. Despite a "happily ever after" ending, this novel was well rendered.

[Blut_Binden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved this book, ever since I first listened to it on audiobook back when I was 12. So happy to find it again!

This is another one of those books from the early 2000’s that missed the benefit of the boost of YA literature from Harry Potter. Just a little too early, and because of that, the book got slapped with one of those unappealing covers with no press when it was released. It could really do with a reboot because…

You get a charming tale about a good hearted kid who was given the small end of the stick. You get to learn a little about foster care in the 1970’s in Britain, you get to learn about the Irish famine, and you get to fall in love with the characters. This book does not shy away from difficult topics, and I like the brutal honesty that comes with this more-than-just-a-time-traveling book. The main character is flawed, but lovable. You can’t help but be drawn in by his “chatty” nature.

Both 12-year-old me and 30-year old me would recommend giving this a quick read. It will surely leave a lasting memory.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story about a young orphan (Tom) who is drawn in to a unmarked mass grave located in a school-yard in England. This grave transports him back in time to Ireland during the great potato famine. He feels a strong connection to the family (Monaghans) that take him into their home, especially to Tully - whom he has a eerie twin-like resemblance to.

While back in 1847 in Ireland, Tom is constantly having to make excuses for the modern day inventions that they have never before seen at this day in age. One particular thing that draws attention to people is the zipper on his jacket. How would he explain such a thing while he is in a time where it has not yet been invented? How does he know how to "give Tully his breath back"? Is he a magic?

Who are the Monaghans? Why was he sent to help them? What is the connection between them?

You must read to find out!

[Andy Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Mullen has been an orphan since he was a baby. He has moved from a couple of homes through his life. Tom's life was depressing for him, until he got sucked into the past, reliving the Irish Famine with a family that seemed dearer than his adoptive ones. Constantly returning back to the future and returning to the past, Tom goes through many troubles due to his absence.

Quote: "Well, I don't know what a man is, Tully, but I don't think it has anything to do with a strong drink. Maybe it's got more to do with strong purpose, knowing how to take care of yourself and your family, even if you have to steal for them."

I picked up this book because Mr Gould recommended it to me.

I finished this book because I wanted to know if he would stay in the past or live his life in his present day.

I would recommend this book to Matthew, since it has some time travel in it.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is bout a young teenage boy who has been shuffled between diffrent foster homes. while he is in school he learns that they will be digging up the school grounds to build a new school. when they do this they discover a mass grave. Tom is pulled to the grave by some force. he faals into the open pit and wakes up in 1842. he finds a family in that time era who he falls in love with. He doesnt want to come back to 1970's because he has no one here that cares. Tom goes back and forth, on one of his last visits he is given a gift from the young girl in the family who he has a crush on. He brings it back to our time, when his football coach sees it they make a remarkable discovery.

this is a sweet story.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Mullen was abandoned in a department store when he was a baby. Twelve years later, after moving from foster home to foster home, Tom feels pulled to a fenced-off area. The area, rumored to be a mass grave unearthed by a construction crew, is so tempting to Tom that he finds he cannot resist...

The Grave takes place in the 1970s in England, as well as the time period known as the Irish Potato Famine. The author manages to draw parallels between both time periods, before drawing to an exciting (albeit expected) conclusion.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

13 yr Tom Ullen abandoned & in several foster homes situations,falls into an open guarded mass burial grave at a construction site and is transported thru time back to 1847 Irish Potato Famine time, where he hooks up with the Monaghan family whom he feels comfortable with. Tom ends up going back & forth several times thru time travel helping out his other family & finding out about his own family. Great

[Laura Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

As they begin to build a new school, a mass grave is uncovered in Liverpool. Tom Mullin, a 13-year-old who has spent his life moving from foster home to foster home, goes to check it out. HE is drawn in and wakes up 1847 Ireland in the midst of the Potato Famine. He is taken in by a loving family. Now he must decide where and when home truly is.

[Yolanda Chapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked it :) It has a little of everything: Time traveling, history, even the mention of the Kung Fu series! (I'm a fan). The way the narrator is talking reminds me sometimes the kid from Catcher in the Rye, but every character has a different personality, and the end was good.

[Hollyutah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good page turner!

[Angie crosby · Rating 2 out of 5]

hort, Different. Okay but not great. Wouldn't recommend it or read it again. It's a strange tale about a boy finding out who he is.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of my most loved books, although it is a lower level book I read it as many times as possible. I wish I could find it in stores.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just remembered about this book. I read it years ago and didn't add it here to my Goodreads.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It might have been written for youth but even adults would enjoy it. The ending blew me away - better than I could ever have predicted.

[Angenine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's anti-climatic but well-written and moving.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.It made me feel like i was in the book.

[Caitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

not scary like i expected it to be not very good but entertaining at most parts

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel back to 1847 Ireland.