Heneghan, James. Torn away.Orca. 256p. c2003. 1-55143-263-3. $6.95. JS Declan Doyle is a teenage boy from Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. who has one goal in life: to avenge a·venge tr.v. a·venged, a·veng·ing, a·veng·es 1. To inflict a punishment or penalty in return for; revenge: avenge a murder. 2. the deaths of his father, mother, and younger sister. He is a member of the Holy Terrors, a children's street gang that is a branch of the IRA Ira, in the Bible Ira (ī`rə), in the Bible. 1 Chief officer of David. 2, 3 Two of David's guard. IRA, abbreviation IRA. , and he must take care of himself in this violent, hate-filled place. He ends up being "torn away" from his homeland and forced to go to Canada to live with his uncle, Matthew, who had also once lived in Ireland and fled to Canada for a better life for himself and his family. Delcan fights the situation with all his might and tries to escape back to Ireland several times. He and Matthew make a deal that if Declan still wants to go back to Ireland at the end of three months. Matthew will pay his way back. Declan settles in for his three-month "sentence" and, against his will, learns to care about Matthew's family while developing a strong bond with a boy from school. Matthew shares the truth behind the death of Declan's family and helps the teen to see Ireland in a different way. As his time of return draws closer, Declan must decide what is more important to him, his past or his future. Historically, this book is an eye-opener eye-opener Substance abuse A popular term for the first drink of an alcoholic's day, which he believes helps steady himself, or 'treats' a hangover . It presents the struggles of Northern Ireland in an understandable and non-judgmental way. However, at times the book seems simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple . Sometimes the scenes aren't very well developed and the action skips to the next scene without much flow. Overall. a decent book with a new story, not your everyday run-of-the-mill subject. It might be well used in a social studies class studying Ireland. It is suitable for senior high due to its subject matter but written on a junior high reading level. Erin Lukens Darr, Libn., Sill sill or sheet In geology, a tabular igneous intrusion emplaced parallel to the bedding of the enclosing rock. Although they may have inclined orientations, nearly horizontal sills are most common. M.S., Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls, city (1990 pop. 48,950), Summit co., NE Ohio, on the Cuyahoga River; inc. 1836. On its course through the city the river drops 220 ft (67 m) through a series of falls and rapids. , OH J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers. S--Recommended for senior high school students. |
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