Under the Hawthorn Tree

The first book in the famine trilogy

Under the Hawthorn Tree is Ireland's top selling children's book. The phenomenal success of this original and enthralling book is celebrated with this beautiful hardback gift edition. This novel has become a classic for young readers worldwide. Under the Hawthorn Tree continues to go from strength to strength and this new edition is a must for any collection.

Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family, Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great aunts they have heard about in their mother's stories.With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.

Also available on DVD.



vividly brings history to life for its readers … a hugely involving tale



her books never shy away from difficult issues, gripping you from the very opening chapter



The Children of the Famine trilogy … continues to not only educate Irish children about their history, but enable people to truly connect with what happened



A great survival saga



makes a whole part of our history come alive, while it still remains a thrilling adventure tale.



A sublime story ... I don't know any child who will not find this book enthralling.



... beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.



The Great Irish Famine of the 1840s has received more fictional treatment than almost any other period in Irish historical children's books. Writing about the Famine posed new challenges to writers for children. The traditional passivity linked to ideas about famine would need to be overcome by some kind of action. The intense and horrible suffering and disease would need to be confronted truthfully but without lurid sensationalism. Some sense of an ending would need to be provided. In Under the Hawthorn Tree, Marita Conlon-McKenna confronted these problems with honesty and simplicity: the plight of three children becomes a kind of pilgrimage. The search for survival is not merely that, but also a search to sustain family loyalty and preserve memory.



Brings the story of the Irish Famine thrillingly alive.



the powerful story of the survival of three children, alone, and against the odds.



Marita Conlon-Mckenna handles this appalling event in Irish history sensitively but never compromising the truth of hardship and human suffering.



(A) vivid picture of the Famine era ... fascinating and terrifying