The Irish Dresser

Author: Cynthia Neale

The Irish Dresser is a fantastic piece of historical fiction telling the story of Ireland's potato famine that of 1845-1850. Told from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Nora McCabe, the reader experiences her family's struggle to survive. Nora decides to escape by hiding in her family's dresser aboard the ship, fantasizing about food and a better life. The reader experiences the difficult journey experienced by over two million Irish through Nora's touching story. Surely, students will be engaged by the McCabe family's tragic and difficult voyage to America, as well as by Nora's vivid and descriptive voice. The Irish Dresser is an exciting story about the reality of taking risks and facing the unknown. This would be great read aloud and could be enjoyed by students in grades 2-6.

The Irish Dresser

Year Released: 2003

Grades 2-6