Clear The Way - Faugh A Ballagh: A Young Adult Civil War Historical Fiction

This historical fiction novel, inspired by the true story of Michael Dougherty, plunges young readers into the harrowing realities of the American Civil War through the eyes of an Irish immigrant. Michael leaves behind his homeland and family, driven by a promise for a better life, only to find himself embroiled in the brutal conflict. The narrative explores his coming-of-age amidst intense battles like Antietam, his enduring love for Bridget Lawless, and his struggle to maintain hope and identity as relationships are torn apart and lives are lost. It's a powerful story of resilience, courage, and the profound personal cost of war, suitable for young adults aged 12-18.

Inspired by the true story of Michael Dougherty... Innocence is ripped away from a young Irish boy when he's forced to say goodbye to everything, and everyone, he knows. Michael Dougherty made a promise to find a better life. A roof over his head and a pretty girl on his shoulder won't satisfy the vow he made to himself and his family. Then again, Bridget Lawless isn't just some pretty girl. She's the one who stole Michael's heart and the reason for his undoing. With passion in his heart and pride in his eyes, Michael follows his destiny to the battlegrounds of the American Civil War. Nearly killed in the cornfield at Antietam, caught in the blaze of "The Burning," and ambushed in the middle of the Shenandoah, he fights for love and freedom. Relationships are torn apart, lives are lost, and all hope fades away. Will the weight of the world come crashing down on Michael Dougherty? Or, will the boy become a man to defeat all the odds stacked against him?