In 1920s Canada, a summer of fun for three friends is destroyed by a frightening crime. Almost a century later, teenager Ciara Farrelly visits her dead grandfather's Ontario home and tries to solve the mystery surrounding it.
When teenager Ciara Farrelly visits her dead grandfather's Ontario home she uncovers a secret from his childhood.
Back in 1928, twelve-year-old Mike Farrelly made friends with Wilson, a lonely, rich boy whose family had emigrated from Ireland, and Lucy, a feisty Ojibwe girl from a local reservation. The three spent the bright, warm summer holidays having adventures together. But then a murder was committed, and Mike, Wilson and Lucy found themselves in danger. Suddenly, they had to trust each other, not only with their secrets, but with their lives…
Follow their story with Ciara as she traces its echo down the years – and find out what really happened one summer, long ago.
BRIAN GALLAGHER was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries.
Brian is the author of four adult novels, and his other books of historical fiction for young readers are One Good Turn and Friend or Foe – both set in Dublin in 1916; Stormclouds, which takes place in Northern Ireland during the turbulent summer of 1969; Secrets and Shadows, a spy novel that begins with the North Strand bombings during the Second World War; Taking Sides, about the Irish Civil War; Across the Divide, set during the 1913 Lockout, Arrivals, a time-slip novel set between modern and early-twentieth-century Ontario, and Pawns, set during Ireland’s War of Independence. Brian lives with his family in Dublin.
Find out more about Brian's books at briangallagherwriter.com
will appeal to readers who enjoy mystery and adventure
I liked the story … it was well written
fans of history aged 9 and upwards will adore … Arrivals by Brian Gallagher about Irish emigrants in Canada … may be his best book yet
a tale of loyalty and discovery, and of how learning about other people can teach you a lot about yourself!
[Brian Gallagher is] one of Ireland’s finest authors of historical fiction for any age, and in our opinion criminally underrated … Gallagher is a consummate storyteller, the characters are brilliantly brought to life, the writing is perfectly pitched and the story rockets along making this an exciting and page turning read for any child with an interest in history or just a love of adventure
a very special time-slip story, dealing with youthful class and racial tensions … a fast-paced, moving story … a rattling good yarn
the story of the friendship at the heart of the novel is well told and thoroughly convincing. The setting is fascinating and well realised too, conveying a real sense of the excitement of the late 1920s and of the looming changes to society. Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart are the new superstars, old assumptions about class, status and even race are just beginning to be questioned. The children’s friendship allows the author to explore these issues, and religious intolerance too, but it is done subtly and as part of the story
the dual narration adds to the tension in this fine story, which also shines a light on Irish attitudes to the British empire
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to the book by Aisling Hamill
