"One day this child shall hold the very heart of our family in the palm of her hand," predicts Granny on the day Darcy Heart O'Hara is bo...
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reviews
May 05, 2011
Abigail
rated it: 
Darcy Heart O'Hara - so named because of her Granny's prophecy that she would one day hold her family's heart in the palm of her hands - wasn't like the other children in her small Irish village of Pobble O'Keefe. She was a "noticer," someone with an eye for the small beauties around her, and although her family were sometimes impatient with her dreamy inattention to practical matters - gathering the eggs, milking the cow - it was a quality that would stand her (and them) in good stead
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3 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Aug 10, 2009
Brianna
rated it: 
Such a beautiful book! It is about a family in Ireland in 1845 who struggle through the potato famine, Darcy Heart O'Hara is taught to recognize and appreciate "small beauties" in life. I won't give much more info because the ending is so touching I would not want to spoil it.
There is also an Author's note at the end that talks about how this story was based on a real family...which just happened to be Henry Ford's family (yes the auto maker)
Great read for child
There is also an Author's note at the end that talks about how this story was based on a real family...which just happened to be Henry Ford's family (yes the auto maker)
Great read for child
May 10, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
This story deeply touched me. It’s of a young girl and her family who must emigrate from Ireland to America during the potato blight of the 1840s. This is a historical fiction story, though there is an author’s note at the end that gives a true account of a much shorter episode of a similar story of a famous American.
Darcy is wonderful! Very likeable! Her small beauties can remind all readers that they can look for solace in the smallest things.
The story is both incredib More...
Darcy is wonderful! Very likeable! Her small beauties can remind all readers that they can look for solace in the smallest things.
The story is both incredib More...
9 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Feb 03, 2011
Sung
rated it:
This is a fiction book that was inspired by the true story of Henry Ford and his family. It's about an Irish family who immigrated to the United States. The little girl finds small beauties wherever she goes and at the end, those beauties are what kept the family strong together. This would be a great book for a lesson on Ireland or maybe even Henry Ford (taking a break from cars).
Mar 15, 2011
Laura
rated it:
This fiction everybody book is loosley based on the Henry Ford's family's immigration story. A beautifully written story has detailed and touching illustrations. A real tearjerker that explains how one family was affected by the Irish potato famine. Great read aloud for older students, especially those with a little bit of background knowledge.
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 14, 2010
Highly recommended as a read aloud for the 4th grade Immigration Unit! This is one of those rare picture books that works well for all grades. The younger students might take away a slightly different message than the older students, but it is lovely no matter what part you remember
Mar 05, 2010
Emeline
rated it:
I like how Darcy gathers all the small beauties to remind her of her life in Ireland even after she moves to America. I'm going to gather some small beauties to take with me on my move to Australia.
Oct 12, 2011
Donalyn
rated it:
A beautiful book about one Irish family's trials during the potato famine and the small beauties their young daughter keeps as reminders of home.
Jan 12, 2009
Becky H.
rated it:
Darcy enjoys the small beauties all around her from the castles in the clouds to a shiny wooden bead. Life is about to change when the potatoes turn bad in Pobble O’Keefe, Ireland. Darcy and her family must leave Ireland forever. On their journey to America Darcy is able to comfort her family with the small beauties of home that she has saved and collected in her pockets. This moving story is illustrated with beautiful, realistic oil paints by Adam Rex and is sure to please the eye of those who
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Apr 07, 2009
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it:
An Irish family is evicted from their home during the potato famine and forced to emigrate to America. It's a sad story, but with a message of hope that they might be able to create a new life for themselves. Through it all Darcy reminds them of the small beauties, like little seeds of hope, around them, and she surprises them with something special from home once they reach America. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is charming despite its depressing subject. Recommended, espec
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0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Apr 03, 2008
Taylor
rated it:
Lovely drawings and a moving story about Irish immigrants. This book is a good reminder that not everyone looks at the world the same way... and that other views, even when we don't understand them, are very important.
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