Kathleen: The Celtic Knot

Girls of Many Lands

by Siobhán Parkinson, Troy Howell (Illustrator)

Twelve-year-old Dubliner Kathleen Delaney is given the chance to take Irish dancing lessons in 1937 and discovers she has a talent for it.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Ireland, Historical, Young Adult

166 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2003

About the author

Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer for both children and adults. Siobhán grew up in Galway and Donegal. Her books have won numerous awards and have been translated into several languages. She is currently a co-editor of Bookbird, the magazine of international children's literature organsation IBBY. She resides in The Republic of Ireland with her husband Roger Bennett and son Matthew.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in late elementary and middle school I would read this book every St. Patrick's Day. Kathleen's love for Irish dancing made me want to try it out so bad. I didn't start as a child, since my parents weren't into the idea of competitive dancing. However, I started Irish dancing when I began college, and I never looked back. 12-year-old me would be very proud :)

This is an excellent book — one that really brings to life the struggle of national identity and the formation of nationhood in pre-WWII Ireland. While Kathleen's journey of becoming a dancer is sweet and inspirational, the larger themes of poverty, community, religion, and statehood resonated strongly with me as an adult.

I appreciate this book. It doesn't sugarcoat history, and it teaches young readers about the past in a way that trusts their intelligence to understand greater themes and grow in historical empathy.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Celtic Revival movement in addition to the Great Depression makes an interesting backdrop for the story. However, there was a place where it could have naturally ended but instead it went on, creating a disruption in the narrative flow. A lot of Irish slang (Gaelic and English) that doesn’t make sense unless you look at the glossary, unless you’re used to the context.

[Lisa Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of the Irish dancing and the other aspects of daily life in Ireland. Kathleen handled the issues of peer pressure, her school issues, and even her parents in ways that teach subtle lessons to the reader. The Gaelic and the details of the culture were delightful.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way back when I still got American Girl doll catalogs, I was really excited to see that they were putting out a new line of dolls and books called Girls of Many Lands. I immediately wanted to read this book because it was set in Ireland, and the girl in it is an Irish dancer, no less! I think this is the only novel I've ever read that's about Irish dancing, which I really appreciate, because I'm an Irish dancer!

The story is about twelve-year-old Kathleen Murphy, who lives with her parents and four younger siblings in a small apartment building alongside many other tenants (I believe it's in the 1930s). The family is very poor, and her da lost his job because of illness, so her mother is trying to find him a new one. Meanwhile, Kathleen gets in trouble at her Catholic school for being late more than once, and her mother gets called in for a parent meeting. The head nun speaks to them and, far from being angry with Kathleen, says that she has noticed Kathleen has some musical talent and suggests that she takes something such as piano lessons or Irish dancing lessons! Skeptical at first, Mrs. Murphy grudgingly takes the advice and sends her to the first dance lesson. Kathleen loves it! But it costs too much for their family to afford, so she leaves in humiliation. But the teacher decides that she can have a reduced fee because she sees the potential in her.
It's a very sweet story about family, finding confidence in yourself, and pursuing your talents. I highly recommend it. Even if you know nothing about Irish dance, it doesn't matter.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of eight in a series of Girls of Many Lands put out by American Girl and ranging from the year 1592 to 1939. Kathleen's story takes place in Ireland in 1937 and tells of the trials and tribulations experienced by a family living in the poverty and political upheaval of that time. The love and support of family comes through in a story of sacrifice and hardship. The author includes a dictionary at the back to explain the meaning of Gaelic words used in the text. One of the enchanting things about this book is the Irish 'voice' that comes through loud and clear.

I purchased these books to use in my 5th grade class when I was teaching. In addition to this one I have read the books set in England and France and find them a great introduction to historical fiction for young girls.

[Autumn Maisy Raquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really want to read this one actually that's my mom's name but her name is Katherine ✨

[vy (laufey’s version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

rest in peace kathleen murphy you would’ve loved google

[Alice Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen is a poor, but spirited Irish girl. The nuns at the convent-school bash the poor kids when they get a chance.

Kathleen is selected to take a semester of free dance classes by a Professional Irish woman who teaches folk dancing and wants winners.Kathleen is a folk dancing winner. She takes to folk dancing, putting her hear and soul into it. She is to be in a big contest, but doesn't tell her mom, because they have no money for a costume. But her mom and Aunt Polly shock her and made her a costume that is for the belle of the Ball.

This is an interesting story about Ireland and try and you will succeed.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having wanted off and on to read this ever since it was new and having finally found it, I can say that my life might have been different if it had been in my mind for the last 15-20 years. A fun read; it would have been informative in interesting ways as a teen, but I probably have much more of a context for appreciating it now, rather than having used it as a context for the things that provided my context for it instead.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story with a well-realized setting. It did lag somewhat towards the end, and the aunt's reveal seemed a little slapped-in with not enough buildup. It also felt a little disingenuous to have the message about being realistic and not living in a fantasy, right after Kathleen wins her very first dance competition despite being the newest student and missing her last two lessons. Maybe not a re-readable book for me, but I appreciate the historical and cultural detail.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not care for this one. The story jumps around too much and seems too short because descriptions are lacking as well as character development. For the story though, the book is almost too long. It's almost like nothing happens in this novel. I did not enjoy it and only read it for completion's sake.

[Abigail Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are great for learning a little bit of history alongside a good story. They are very similar to the American Girl books, only a bit longer, more upper middle school level. Kathleen was especially interesting to me as I took Irish Dance for a while, which is what Kathleen ultimately pursues as her sport.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Irish culture and Irish dancing, so this was a fun read. It’s not fluffy though; Kathleen has to deal with some difficult things as a girl in a poor family in 1930s Ireland. It felt like a juvenile version of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and covered similar themes.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book very interesting

[Aida · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember enjoying it a lot as a 6th grader. Still remembered it enough after all this time to find the title again.

[Chris Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated—G (my personal opinion based on content)

[Jo Skeffington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this easy read book. The story was okay but my favorite part was at the back of the book the “Then and Now a girl’s life in Ireland”.
Yes, someday I hope to go there myself. Thanks.

[irene del mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the rushed ending that I think would be even more frustrating if I was younger, but as an adult I can understand why it happened.

[Katie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one struck a chord with my impoverished dancer heart.

[Abigail G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had forgotten this story and it was interesting to reread and think about how life was 100 years ago in Ireland.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book for young people and had a good story to it was nice learning a little bit about Ireland back in the 1930's..so if u like history and good stories then u will like it..

[Leia Skywalker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average. Not the best but certainly not the worst book I read

[Terra Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book. I read this when it first came out and found it recently and wanted to do a re read.

It was interesting and I wish it had become a series.

[Deborah Barbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good historical fiction. Simple story but I think middle school girls would find it compelling. Quick read.

[Kelsey Huse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book for young girls

[A. A. Breitling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about an event in a 12 year old girl's life in 1930's Ireland.

[emma grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

September 2009 review:

Kathleen Delaney lives in Dublin, Ireland in 1937. When she is given the chance to take Irish dancing lessons, she isn’t all that thrilled. But when she tries the first lesson, she finds out that she really has a gift for it, and that she loves it! Her family scrapes up just enough money to pay the rent for for their tiny apartment, and to buy food, so dancing lessons are out of the question for Kathleen. But when she tells that to the teacher, the teacher tells her that she thinks Kathleen has talent, and she will teach her for free. Kathleen is very glad that she will be give the chance to continue dancing and she soon rises to be the best in the class. After several weeks,the teacher asks Kathleen to compete in an upcoming competition. At first, Kathleen is overjoyed, but when she finds out that she has to buy a special dancing outfit, she is sure her family can’t afford to spend any extra money, so she keeps the news a secret. Eventually, her mother finds out, and she tells Kathleen the she will buy some fabric, and make her a costume. But when Kathleen’s mother suddenly takes sick, all Kathleen’s hopes are lost. Kathleen is afraid her mother is going to die, but her aunt tells her otherwise, and even makes her a costume out of old green velvet curtains. Kathleen’s mother gets well, and Kathleen dances in the competition and wins first place! This was a pretty good book.

[Bulk Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was pretty great! For some reason, it was A LOT more lighthearted than any of the other books in this series so far. The plot was quite simple, but I thought that that worked in its favor. It was still very educational, and that was without a single info dump: Kathleen's life as an Irish girl in the 1930s is woven into the story, and we learn many interesting things about the time period without the author outright telling us. I thought the last chapter could have been done a bit better - Kathleen wins the dance competition, and then the focus shifts to her aunt getting married, even though that wasn't the main message of the story - but it was still a very satisfying read.

If I had one gripe, it would be that the whole plot with her mother getting ill and not being able to finish her dress was waaaayyy too similar to Felicity's Surprise. But as an obsessive GWTW fan, I appreciated very much that her aunt made her a dress out of curtains, and that there was an entire chapter titled "Scarlett O'Hara."

Cecile and Leyla were the only two books of this series that I read when I was little, and I was becoming afraid that I only enjoyed them this time around due to the nostalgia, since the others have been pretty lackluster to me. This one proved me wrong!

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel takes place in Ireland in 1937, so it's not centered on the Irish potato famine or anything like that. Rather, it's the story of the average life of an average poor family living in Ireland at that time, and how Kathleen is given a chance to learn how to do Irish dancing.


The story is done well, especially in showing the varied activities of the family members and how they have to struggle to make ends meet but still have a really good family relationship.


There is some passing reference to the Ireland/England problem, but most of that is confined to the short historical section at the end of the novel. I still think adding these historical tidbits to the novels is a very intelligent thing to do and the sections are always interesting.


Definitely another good book in the series.