Friend or Foe: 1916: Which side are you on? - Softcover

Gallagher, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847176313 ISBN 13: 9781847176318

Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd, 2015

Synopsis

It’s time to choose: friendship, family or loyalty to the cause.

When Emer Davey saves her neighbour Jack Madigan from drowning, it seems that they will be friends forever. But eight months later, they find themselves on opposite sides in a life-or-death struggle, as Dublin is torn apart by the Easter Rising.

Emer’s father is an officer in the Irish Volunteers who believes that armed rebellion is the only way to gain independence from Britain. His daughter has inherited his passion and is determined to help the rebels in any way she can.

Jack’s dad is a sergeant in the Dublin Metropolitan Police. They share a deep respect for the law and are sure that Home Rule can be achieved through peaceful politics and helping with the war effort.  

These two young friends find their loyalties challenged as the terrifying reality of war sets in – and the Rising hits closer to home than either could have imagined.

'Beautiful writing' Sunday Independent on Stormclouds

About this title

Review:

a great book for children looking to learn about the Easter Rising through fiction. Gallagher has created a thought-provoking and informative read, with just enough historical facts without letting the storyline buckle under the weight of heavy subject matter ... A great book for both the school-room and for people with an interest in the time period themselves, Friend or Foe is a balanced, refreshing and entertaining book that stands out amongst so many others. Highly recommend

(whatdanielledidnext.com)

drama and adventure aplenty ... informative, thought-provoking ... highly recommended

(Tuam Herald)

a fast moving and informative read

(Sunday Independent)

beautiful writing, great character development, fascinating ... a page-turner that is difficult to put down ... a compelling and rewarding reading experience

(Voya Magazine)

lets readers draw their own conclusions about the political issues while showing that friendship remains more important than law. A lovely and well-written novel whose appeal stateside may be limited by American readers' unfamiliarity with this historic event

(www.kirkusreviews.com)

Gallagher is to be commended for deviating from the dominant narrative in his representation of the Rising ... a refreshingly ambivalent reading of the Rising that will be welcome to anyone interested in Irish history

(Children’s Books Ireland Recommended Reading Guide)

would make a great introduction to the historical period for young readers and could be very useful as a springboard for further learning on the period and I have no doubt it will be a popular choice in homes and classrooms given this and next year’s 1916 commemoration celebrations

(gobblefunked.com)

a vivid novel on 1916 for senior classes ... Brian Gallagher has written a fast-moving historical novel ... this book would be ideal for the senior classes as an introduction to the Easter Rising

(InTouch Magazine)

this is a fast moving, exciting, and informative historical novel ... this book will help teenagers to understand the Rising of 1916 and what formed the Republic ... extremely well-written ... by a skilled Irish writer, who sees both sides ... In an age when forgiveness and reconciliation are too rare in the popular media, it is refreshing to read of youthful kindness and courage, duty and family unity. This is the best children’s book I’ve seen

(Historical Novel Society)

an exciting adventure story ... captures the atmosphere of revolution-torn Dublin

(Irish Examiner)

From the Back Cover:

It’s time to choose: friends, family or loyalty to the cause

 

When Emer Davey saves her neighbour Jack Madigan from drowning, it seems that they’ll be friends forever. But eight months later, they find themselves on opposite sides in a life-or-death struggle, as Dublin is torn apart by the Easter Rising.

 

Emer’s father is an officer in the Irish Volunteers who believes that armed rebellion is the only way to gain independence from Britain. His daughter agrees and is determined to help the rebels in any way she can.

 

Jack’s dad is a sergeant in the Dublin Metropolitan Police. They both respect the law and think that Home Rule can be achieved through peaceful politics and by supporting the British Army in World War One.   

 

The two young friends find their loyalties challenged as the terrifying reality of war sets in – and the Rising hits closer to home than either could have imagined.

 

 

 

Brian Gallagher is the author of four other books for young people, Across the Divide, Taking Sides, Secrets and Shadows and Stormclouds, as well as four adult novels and numerous plays and short stories.

About this edition

• Publisher: O'Brien Press Ltd
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1847176313
• ISBN 13: 9781847176318
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240