Nory Ryan's Song

Reach for this book when your child is facing a season of scarcity, navigating a family separation, or beginning to ask questions about social justice and systemic unfairness. Set during the 1845 Irish Potato Famine, the story follows twelve-year-old Nory Ryan as she fights to keep her family alive while her father is away. It is a powerful exploration of how love and resourcefulness can sustain us even when the world feels like it is falling apart. While the historical setting is specific, the emotional core is universal. This is a story about the heavy weight of responsibility and the quiet bravery required to keep hope alive during a crisis. It is ideally suited for mature readers aged 10 to 12 who are ready to grapple with serious themes like hunger and poverty, providing a safe space to discuss how communities support one another during times of extreme hardship.