Reviews: (by author)

Giff, Patricia Reilly, Maggie's Door. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2003, $16.95 Hardcover. ISBN 0-385-32658-0. For Middle Grade Readers, fiction

In 1845, a terrible fungus attacked the potato crops in Ireland destroying their fields and a precious resource of food. Starvation swept throughout the land and many Irish families migrated to America. Maggie's Door is the story of two Irish families, the Ryan and Mallon families, who are affected by the blight. They are left with little choice but to leave their homes in Maiden Bay and make the perilous voyage to America. Maggie Ryan and her husband Francis Mallon made the voyage a year prior and await the arrival of the remaining members of their families in Brooklyn. One by one, a member of the family leaves Maiden Bay. Now all that remain there are young Nory, Patch, "Da" (Grandpa) Ryan and Sean Mallon. With the last scrap of food that they possess the four board the Samsom in hope that they will be able to survive the perils of the sea and not die of starvation in the process. The voyage becomes a test of faith and courage for Nory and her family and dear friend, Sean. Can all survive the adverse conditions and make it to Maggies' door in America?

It is delightful how Giff sends the message of hope to her readers in different forms throughout the novel. One subtle symbol of hope that I encountered while reading the novel is a red ribbon that Nory wears in her hair in Maiden Bay (incidentally pictured on the book jacket as well). While still in Ireland the wind blows the ribbon from Nory's hair and it falls into the hands of various characters throughout the story. (Pay attention as the ribbon appears at crucial points in the story. It is as if Giff does not want us to forget this important message). The evasive ribbon ends up with a sly, peddler girl who coincidently turns up on the same ship as Nory and her family. I thought it is funny and yet ironic that the ribbon returns to Nory in the form of a gift presented to her by the peddler girl as they disembark in Brooklyn. By no means is this the only use of symbolism. Giff carefully chooses the way she represents other topics such as despair, courage, and strength that the reader will discover when they read Maggie's Door.

Rhonda Brown , February 2004

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