Brooklyn, 1875: Bird Mallon lives on Water Street where you can see the huge towers of the bridge to Manhattan being built. Bird wants nothing mor...
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reviews
Mar 03, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
There are two main characters to this book, but the focus seems to be more on Bird than Thomas.
Bird seems to reason by implication, and perhaps feel by it, too. It's good for me to get used to the idea that people actually do this, but I really don't like it—so I had a hard time relating to her. Also, I found it difficult to track her motives for doing things—potentially because of this (but perhaps just because of the way it was written; it was hard to tell). I could relate to Thoma More...
Bird seems to reason by implication, and perhaps feel by it, too. It's good for me to get used to the idea that people actually do this, but I really don't like it—so I had a hard time relating to her. Also, I found it difficult to track her motives for doing things—potentially because of this (but perhaps just because of the way it was written; it was hard to tell). I could relate to Thoma More...
May 16, 2010
Sue
rated it: 
The year is 1875 and the Brooklyn Bridge is under construction. To many, this bridge is a symbol of greatness and ingenuity. This sense of hope and aspiration echoes in the background as the book examines the lives of two Irish American families.
Bridget Mallon, called Bird, is about to enter her last year of school and struggles to find her place in the world. She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps as a healer but there are many difficult challenges on that path and Bird is More...
Bridget Mallon, called Bird, is about to enter her last year of school and struggles to find her place in the world. She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps as a healer but there are many difficult challenges on that path and Bird is More...
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Sep 30, 2011
I read this book because I loved Maggie's Door and this novel has some of the same characters. This book, like Maggie's Door, made me think about the immigrants that came to this country a couple hundred years ago. Wow, we have it so easy. I take a lot of things for granted--my education, books, medical care, the fact that we don't have to worry about scarlet fever anymore. It made me think about all the sacrifices parents make when they come to a new country looking for a better life for the
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Aug 30, 2011
Jane
rated it:
Another book that I've only listened to via the CD player in the car.
Only 3 CDs, this book flew by as we tootled around town. I loved it. The narrator's voice was amazing, amazing. Two amazings. Her Irish brogue was mesmerizing, and I'm sure only helped my impression of the story. But the story. I did love it. Young Bird and Thomas grow together, their families struggling just to survive, but at the same time they provide a better future for the children. A great glimpse into those po More...
Only 3 CDs, this book flew by as we tootled around town. I loved it. The narrator's voice was amazing, amazing. Two amazings. Her Irish brogue was mesmerizing, and I'm sure only helped my impression of the story. But the story. I did love it. Young Bird and Thomas grow together, their families struggling just to survive, but at the same time they provide a better future for the children. A great glimpse into those po More...
Jun 06, 2009
Celia
rated it:
This was a good book about very likeable characters written by Patricia Reilly Giff. Each chapter switches perspectives between the two main characters, Bird Mallon and Thomas Neary. Bird wants to be a healer like her mother very badly, but is afraid that she'll make mistakes and hurt her mother's patients. Thomas dearly wishes he had a real family with a mum and siblings, instead of his father, who spends all his nights drinking at bars. As Thomas and Bird get to know each other, they form a st
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Dec 12, 2011
Angela
rated it: 
I enjoyed this window into Irish immigrant life in Brooklyn in 1875. The reader of the audiobook version did an excellent job. My only criticism of the book would be that given the short length of the story, it could not go more in depth into the feelings of the characters. Perhaps that is on purpose, because it helps you experience the story as the 13-year-olds in the book did -- attempting to process what was going on in their lives without knowing the full implications of the events at the ti
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Aug 25, 2009
Sue
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Title: Water Street
Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 2009 Audiobook Challenge, 20 Books in 2009, Pages Read Challenge, 2009 YA Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009,
Rating: 5/5
No. of Pages: Audio (176)
Published: 2006
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Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Genre: Young Adult
Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 2009 Audiobook Challenge, 20 Books in 2009, Pages Read Challenge, 2009 YA Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge – 2009, Summer Vacation Reading Challenge 2009,
Rating: 5/5
No. of Pages: Audio (176)
Published: 2006
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Mar 30, 2009
Ashley
rated it:
I would actually give this book 2.5 stars: between ok and kind of liking it. I thought it was VERY similar to "Fifteen Streets," a book I read previously. Irish family trying to survive and create something better for their children while struggling in early America. I thought it was better than Fifteen Streets though - not so depressing and an overall good story. I listened to this on CD so it was fine to listen to in the background while I did other things. I wouldn't classify t
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Mar 27, 2008
Corinne
rated it:
I finished this book with a smile on my face. I've been meaning to read it for a long time - ever since I saw the cover at my library. I love stories of New York in the late 19th century, and this one was a particularly good read.
Bird is the child of two Irish immigrants and her family is living in Brooklyn during the time that the Brooklyn Bridge is being built. A new neighbor moves into the top floor of their tenement and thirteen year old Bird and Thomas (whose only family is his More...
Bird is the child of two Irish immigrants and her family is living in Brooklyn during the time that the Brooklyn Bridge is being built. A new neighbor moves into the top floor of their tenement and thirteen year old Bird and Thomas (whose only family is his More...
Sep 15, 2008
Molly
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Bird Mallon is the youngest child of two Irish immigrants, and the absolute darling of her family. She's accomplished at school (this year, 1875, she will be starting 8th grade) and she wants to be a healer like her mama. She hopes for the safety of her father while he works on the bridge (Brooklyn, that is) construction site, she hopes that her older brother will find a way out of his depression and that horrible street gang, that her older sister will find love despite being so 'plain', and sh
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Sep 30, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
so far because it is telling me about how when the hard times hit you really don't want to get in trouble. plus you should be nice to someone even if they don't have a big family or if they eat with you at ever meal. I learned if you are good at something and your parent's want you to keep doing it. They will give up there dream to help yours come true.
Jan 01, 2012
Brett
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The story begun in "Nory Ryan's Song" reaches its next chapter in this, the story of Nory & Sean Red's daughter, Bird Mallon. Bird lives with her close-knit, loving Irish family in an apartment on Water Street in Brooklyn, where she has a great view of the soon-to-be-finished Brooklyn Bridge. In the course of a year, she makes friends with a boy who moves into the apartment upstairs with his father, graduates from the eighth grade, & learns a great deal about herself & the endless poss
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May 29, 2010
Sally
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The 2 main characters tell the story and they are delightful, loving, deep-thinking 12-14 year olds (is that possible?) from the 1870's. The background of their growth as people and as friends is set in New York as the Brooklyn Bridge is being built. Touching and funny.
Oct 12, 2009
Erin
rated it:
read with Lily. The last of the three Nory Ryan books. Really good little books about the Irish immigrant experience from a 12-year-old's point of view. Lily loves history and "real" stories and my dad's side of the family all came from Ireland, so it was relavant for her (and me)!
Sep 21, 2011
Madison
rated it:
I gave this book 4 stars because it was very touching. It makes you root for the characters to reach their goals and succeed. This book also has many events that leave you wondering and hoping that everything will turn out fine. One thing I didn’t like about this book was that all the exciting things were all clumped together towards the end, which made the beginning a little boring. I also liked that in the end, everything is happily ever after.
Dec 24, 2008
kbtri
rated it:
The girls and I listened to this on CD on our latest road trip. It's truly a wonderful coming of age/love story set during the building of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1875-76. It's told from both the boy and the girl's perspective.
Aug 21, 2011
Hailey
rated it: 
This was a pretty good book, the olny thing I didn'tlike about it was it was kinda sad and semi depressing. I guess if you like that kind of historical fiction that's sad/ depressing you'll like it more then i did. lol
Apr 29, 2009
Stacy
rated it:
I loooved Water Street!!!
Read Nory Ryan's Song first--then Maggie's Door and THEN Water Street. I didn't realize they go together.
It will take you a day to reach each book.
Read Nory Ryan's Song first--then Maggie's Door and THEN Water Street. I didn't realize they go together.
It will take you a day to reach each book.
Nov 20, 2008
Leah
rated it:
Usually a good cover makes the book really bad or cheesy but this one is fantastic. Quick fun read. And really you can't not like a book where the main character's name is Bird!
Aug 01, 2011
I loved watching the relationship between Thomas and Bird develop in the shadow of my favorite landmark, the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a kid's book, but a well-written one.
Feb 09, 2008
Lisa
rated it:
A great slice of life from a 1st generation American living in Brooklyn in the late 1800's. Bird is Nory's daughter from "Nory Ryan's Song." She plans on following in her mother's footsteps and becoming a healer, but doubts surface when she sees Nory sewing up a boy's bloody scalp. Bird's brother Hughie is a fighter, trying to make enough money to buy a farm and get out of the city. Her sister Annie works in a box factory, crushing her thumbs with a hammer. Thomas, the quiet boy
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Jul 29, 2011
two kids growing up near the Brooklyn Bridge as it is being built and trying to figure what they will do as they get near to graduating 8th grade in 1875
Jul 11, 2011
Jess
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Listened on CD while driving and it was a great story. 1800's New York immigrant community story! Great characters and a story that taught a little bit too.
Aug 20, 2010
Amelia
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Such a good, little book. As a nurse I really appreciated it. I have had such good luck lately choosing my books from the JUV section!
Jan 21, 2010
Leslie
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After reading Pictures of Hollis Woods by Giff, I wanted to read more of her books and found this one. Cute story!
Jan 11, 2010
Meredith
rated it:
Violet's 2010 reading page: http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/sweetn...
Jun 28, 2009
Sarah
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this was a quick read about the building of the brooklyn bridge as seen through the eyes of two teenagers fun book!
Sep 22, 2011
NewFranklin
rated it:
I love this historical fiction book
Water street is a book that takes place in Brooklyn
Water street is a book that takes place in Brooklyn
