Under the Hawthorn Tree (novel) facts for kids
Under the Hawthorn Tree is a popular historical novel for children written by Marita Conlon-McKenna. It's the first book in her "Children of the Famine" series. The story takes place during the terrible Great Famine in Ireland. The book was first published in May 1990 by O'Brien Press and was even made into a TV show in 1999.
Contents
What is Under the Hawthorn Tree About?
The story follows three siblings: Eily, Michael, and Peggy O'Driscoll. They live in a small cottage in the Irish countryside. The book begins in 1845, when a plant disease called blight destroys their family's potato crop. This event marks the start of the Great Famine. Sadly, their baby sister, Bridget, gets sick and dies. She is buried under a hawthorn tree in their garden. In old Irish stories, hawthorn trees are sometimes linked to a magical "otherworld."
Their father leaves home to find work fixing roads. The children and their very sad mother struggle every day to find enough food. Their poor mother sells almost everything she owns, just to survive. Finally, worried and impatient, she also leaves to search for her husband. After many weeks of waiting, the three siblings realize their parents might not return. This is when they decide to begin a long journey across Ireland. They hope to find their long-lost aunts, who are the only family members their mother ever talked about. With no map, no adults, and very little food, these three brave siblings try to find their way "home."
Book Translations
The book was first written in English. Since then, it has been translated into many other languages. These include Irish, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Malay, and Arabic.
Television Show Adaptation
Under the Hawthorn Tree was made into a television series for Channel 4. It was shown as a four-part series in March 1999.
Sequel Books
Under the Hawthorn Tree is the first book in a trilogy. The other two books continue the story of the O'Driscoll children:
- Wildflower Girl is the second book. It tells the story of Peggy as she travels to America.
- Fields of Home is the third book. This story follows Michael as he returns to Ireland.
