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authorannafaundez's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
In 1847, Mary Driscoll, an Irish girl, travels to aboard a ship to America. Her parents sent her away to escape the potato famine that gripped Ireland for five brutal years. This little book, written as the diary of Mary herself, gives a very good look into what factory work was like in the United States for women. The hours were long, and the work was difficult and dangerous. One thing I really liked about this book was it does not shy away from the grim reality of how factory workers were treated as a whole and the stark difference in how immigrant girls were treated versus the “Yankee” girls. So Far From Home’s look into reality is heartbreaking, but the history is so, so important to know and remember.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
palnicki92's review
3.0
This book was a great way to start off rereading the Dear America series. The descriptions are excellent and the story moved fast.
kristinadixon97's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating read and a wonderful history lesson. Loved it!
franklin56709's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
missylynne's review against another edition
4.0
Diary of a young Irish girl who immigrates to Lowell, Mass.
pawsitivelybookish's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
tsilverman's review
2.0
This one was just very poorly executed. Maybe it's just the fat kid in me, but after pages and pages of Mary starving in Ireland and then on the ship to America, I wanted some follow up on if she got to eat better in America. There was very little of that. She also wasn't very upset when she found out her parents were dead. And the whole thing with Clarissa losing her scalp was so brief and Mary was so unbothered by that as well that I kind of think she was a psychopath in the making! Oh, well. She died two years later.
theresidentbookworm's review
3.0
I've read so many of the Dear America books I'm not sure which ones I haven't read. I don't know I have read this one or not. If I haven't, I'm sure it's very good. The Dear America series is usually very good.