Last of the Name

Danny is the O'Carolan's last hope. His family was destroyed by the potato famine. His parents and brothers are all either dead or sent to the ends of the world as punishment for stealing food to feed their starving family. His last remaining relative is his older sister Kathleen, and she is determined to keep a close eye on him. When they arrive in New York with nothing but a mysterious family heirloom, they have to act quick if they don't want to end up in an orphanage. Kathleen takes the only job she can find where they can stay together: working as a maid. But Danny has to disguise himself as a girl so they can stay together. He hates the deceit and the hard work for little pay, but he knows that above all else he has to survive to keep the O'Carolan name alive.

I loved this nuanced look at a difficult period in American history. The Civil War is raging and many of the Irish who have just arrived are drafted while the rich pay a fee to avoid going to war. Meanwhile the Irish immigrants are taking jobs that free blacks had previously filled. Tensions rise on all sides as Danny tries to do the right thing, be true to himself, and keep his traditional songs and dances alive. ​

Last of the Name by Rosanne Parry
Grades 4 - 7
​Tags: character driven, family life, historical fiction

---