Six stories, one set in Dublin the others in the countryside, about children who get caught up in the War of Independence and suffer dire consequences.
Themes:
Friendships, Personal Challenge, History
Six stories -- one set in Dublin, the others in the countryside -- about children who get caught up in the War of Independence and suffer dire consequences.
Mattie Foley dreams of escaping the harshness of life in the Dublin slums, but her dreams and reality become dangerously entwined with the discovery of a gun.
When Statia Mulligan sets off to get feed for the hens, she longs for the peace and quiet of her favourite spot by the stream; she doesn't expect to become part of an ambush.
Larry Quinn goes after the cow that has strayed -- how could he know that in his absence the Black and Tans would force his mother to reveal all she knows?
Gerard Whelan was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and a multiple award-winner. His first novel, The Guns of Easter, won the Eilís Dillon Memorial Award for first-time writers. Dream Invader later won the Bisto Book of the Year Award. He has also been shortlisted for the Reading Association of Ireland awards. Gerard is also the author of A Winter of Spies and Out of Nowhere.
'Very powerful short stories for young adults'
'Excellent collection ... They will impel their readers towards new questioning as to what "war" actually is'
'These stories ... are moving, thrilling and yet sometimes funny accounts of events just a couple of generations removed from where we are now.'
'Gripping read ... his characters bring recent history to life'
'Roller-coasters of emotion ... A riveting read'
'Six emotionally charged stories, rural and urban, featuring feisty, likeable youngsters'
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to Dead Man's Music, the fourth story in the book.
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to Mulligan's Drop, the second story in the book.
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to Services Rendered, the fifth story in the book.
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to The Empty Steps, the first story in the book.
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to The King of Irishtown, the third story in the book.
Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to The Poor Cow, the final story in the book.
