Under the Hawthorn Tree

This is the first book in the famine trilogy where the Great Irish Famine is recreated through the story of three young survivors. Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine. When tragedy strikes their family Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of ending up in the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great-aunts they have heard about in their mother’s stories. With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.

This book by Marita Conlon Mc Kenna is aimed at pupils in senior classes. These link to documents for the teacher below contain suggestions on how to use the book as a cross-curricular resource in the Fifth Class classroom, as well as approaches to the film in the classroom. There are also worksheets for the pupils to complete.

Check out the O’Brien website here: https://obrien.ie/under-the-hawthorn-tree