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The Book of Roisins
Moving in the middle of the school year is tough—especially when you add frizzy red hair, freckles, and an outdated family name no one can pronounce. Eleven-year-old Roisin (row-sheen) knows this all too well.
Within the chaos is one constant—her maternal grandmother, Gran. While unpacking, Roisin finds a scrapbook. From the tingle that moves up her arm when she touches it to Gran’s explanation when she asks about it, Roisin discovers this is no ordinary book. Starting with Roisin the First, her grandmothers have experienced the Irish potato famine, the homestead act, women’s suffrage, World War II, and the launch of Sally Ride’s space shuttle.
Through the magic of the scrapbook, Roisin is about to meet each of them—and they might just change her life forever.
Within the chaos is one constant—her maternal grandmother, Gran. While unpacking, Roisin finds a scrapbook. From the tingle that moves up her arm when she touches it to Gran’s explanation when she asks about it, Roisin discovers this is no ordinary book. Starting with Roisin the First, her grandmothers have experienced the Irish potato famine, the homestead act, women’s suffrage, World War II, and the launch of Sally Ride’s space shuttle.
Through the magic of the scrapbook, Roisin is about to meet each of them—and they might just change her life forever.
119 pages, Paperback
Published June 17, 2025
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About the author
Tracy Schuldt Helixon
9 books7 followersTracy began her writing career at age five, when her parents found her writing on her little brother. When they asked what she was doing, she said, “Timmy thought he was a piece of paper.” To Timmy’s relief, she now uses a computer to write. Today, Tracy is a teacher and author who seeks out creativity, goodness, and chocolate, and can barely stop smiling each time she finds it.
Along with writing books for both children and adults, Tracy has been teaching writing and speech at her local two-year college for about twenty-five years. Since reading and writing are two of her favorite adventures, she's grateful to work with student writers and to do some writing of her own.
Tracy's hope is that readers searching for family-friendly stories will find a home in her writing, and students searching for inspiration and encouragement will find a springboard to storytelling in her classes.
Tracy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Chris, one high-schooler, and two college kids who often find their way home. Her favorites include books; travel; church; sunny days; crunchy, colorful fall leaves; Christmas tree lights; family adventures; Ireland; mochas; and chocolate chip mint ice cream.
Along with writing books for both children and adults, Tracy has been teaching writing and speech at her local two-year college for about twenty-five years. Since reading and writing are two of her favorite adventures, she's grateful to work with student writers and to do some writing of her own.
Tracy's hope is that readers searching for family-friendly stories will find a home in her writing, and students searching for inspiration and encouragement will find a springboard to storytelling in her classes.
Tracy lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Chris, one high-schooler, and two college kids who often find their way home. Her favorites include books; travel; church; sunny days; crunchy, colorful fall leaves; Christmas tree lights; family adventures; Ireland; mochas; and chocolate chip mint ice cream.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 4, 2025
In "The Book of Roisins" by Tracy Schuldt Helixon, I found myself swept into a captivating tale of a young girl named Roisin. As an army brat, eleven-year-old Roisin has faced the challenge of attending four schools in six years, often having to move in the middle of the school year. With four brothers and a recent move to Wisconsin, where she knows no one, Roisin feels isolated and out of place. Her vibrant red hair and freckles make her stand out, and she’s not fond of having to explain how to pronounce her name. On her first day at a new school, she learns that she must introduce herself in front of the entire school in an upcoming assembly, a prospect that terrifies her.
After a tough day, Roisin’s solace comes from her close relationship with her Gran. While searching for her fidget box to calm her nerves, after the run-in with two classmates who were picking on her, she stumbled upon an unpacked box filled with her Gran’s belongings. Among them is a scrapbook. When Roisin opens it, she discovers it’s no ordinary scrapbook. It’s a portal through time that allows her to meet the Roisins of the past.
The journey begins with Roisin the First during the Irish Potato Famine, as she travels to America. Another Roisin takes her to the White House, right before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration, where she witnesses the women's suffrage movement. She even shares a moment with someone closer to her during Sally Ride’s historic space shuttle launch. Each adventure offers Roisin eye-opening insights, heartwarming conversations, and a deeper understanding of herself.
From start to finish, "The Book of Roisins" is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists. I particularly enjoyed the wise and powerful statements passed down by Roisin’s ancestors, like “The seas will calm” and “Brave and scared, at the same time.” These messages resonate deeply with Roisin’s current life challenges.
What I love most is how each Roisin’s life lessons connects to Roisin the Seventh, allowing her to see her own life from a new perspective. The story cleverly weaves in bits of history, making the narrative both informational and engaging. Some encounters are intense, others heartwarming, but all are crafted to stir the reader's emotions.
In summary, "The Book of Roisins" is a delightful blend of magical time travel, historical insights, and personal growth. It’s a book that encourages readers to reflect on their own journeys, the wisdom of their ancestors, and the strength found in embracing who they truly are. If you’re looking for a story that’s both enchanting and thought-provoking, this book is a must-read.
Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0
After a tough day, Roisin’s solace comes from her close relationship with her Gran. While searching for her fidget box to calm her nerves, after the run-in with two classmates who were picking on her, she stumbled upon an unpacked box filled with her Gran’s belongings. Among them is a scrapbook. When Roisin opens it, she discovers it’s no ordinary scrapbook. It’s a portal through time that allows her to meet the Roisins of the past.
The journey begins with Roisin the First during the Irish Potato Famine, as she travels to America. Another Roisin takes her to the White House, right before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration, where she witnesses the women's suffrage movement. She even shares a moment with someone closer to her during Sally Ride’s historic space shuttle launch. Each adventure offers Roisin eye-opening insights, heartwarming conversations, and a deeper understanding of herself.
From start to finish, "The Book of Roisins" is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists. I particularly enjoyed the wise and powerful statements passed down by Roisin’s ancestors, like “The seas will calm” and “Brave and scared, at the same time.” These messages resonate deeply with Roisin’s current life challenges.
What I love most is how each Roisin’s life lessons connects to Roisin the Seventh, allowing her to see her own life from a new perspective. The story cleverly weaves in bits of history, making the narrative both informational and engaging. Some encounters are intense, others heartwarming, but all are crafted to stir the reader's emotions.
In summary, "The Book of Roisins" is a delightful blend of magical time travel, historical insights, and personal growth. It’s a book that encourages readers to reflect on their own journeys, the wisdom of their ancestors, and the strength found in embracing who they truly are. If you’re looking for a story that’s both enchanting and thought-provoking, this book is a must-read.
Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0
July 17, 2025
Roisin’s father is in the army which means they move around a lot. She’s about to start at another new school and she dreads trying to fit in with a name no one can pronounce. After a rough first day she goes to unpack the last box in her room and finds a scrapbook she doesn’t recognize and when she goes to take it out of the box Roisin gets an odd tingling sensation. When she shows her grandmother the scrapbook, her grandmother tells her that she can use the book to travel back in time and meet all of the previous generations of Roisin’s in the family.
I like how the author used the time travel theme to introduce different periods in history. None of the periods are gone into in depth but there is enough information about each one to give the reader who’s interested in learning more about a particular period a starting point. And I also liked how learning about what her ancestors did and dealt with helped Roisin become more confident in who she is.
I like how the author used the time travel theme to introduce different periods in history. None of the periods are gone into in depth but there is enough information about each one to give the reader who’s interested in learning more about a particular period a starting point. And I also liked how learning about what her ancestors did and dealt with helped Roisin become more confident in who she is.
November 28, 2025
What a delightful book! “The Book of Roisins” is a wonderful telling of courage under pressure through the ages. Ms. Helixon weaves a magical story of an Irish girl meeting her grandmothers—all seven generations of them—at pivotal points in history. Each one teaches Roisin the Seventh about facing life when things are hard. Roisin learns that being brave and being scared are possible at the same time. And it is what you do with the scared that counts. A great book for young people—and anyone who loves a good story.
July 30, 2025
a litte time travel a scrapbook, learning about your family.Learning you're not the first roisin.
You'll go through time you'll come back.
You'll find the love within the arms of your family.
The story is about family from the past. and the now. It goes back in time and it's in the future. It was a good story. I enjoyed reading this one.
roisin, new school, not always making friends, but sometimes one friend is all you needs.
Absolutely a cute story.
You'll go through time you'll come back.
You'll find the love within the arms of your family.
The story is about family from the past. and the now. It goes back in time and it's in the future. It was a good story. I enjoyed reading this one.
roisin, new school, not always making friends, but sometimes one friend is all you needs.
Absolutely a cute story.
December 8, 2025
An Irish American history lesson like no other!
Get ready to time-travel through centuries of history, from 1845 to the present day. From the perils out west to the beginnings of the women’s suffrage movement. From World War II to a young girl’s very personal struggles, this story takes you on an epic, fun, and magical journey. This was a truly engaging read for both young and young-at-heart readers.
Get ready to time-travel through centuries of history, from 1845 to the present day. From the perils out west to the beginnings of the women’s suffrage movement. From World War II to a young girl’s very personal struggles, this story takes you on an epic, fun, and magical journey. This was a truly engaging read for both young and young-at-heart readers.
March 4, 2026
Who can remember being the 'new kid' in a new school? I sure can. Throw in some mean girls and you have a lot of preteen angst. Roisin seems to take it all in stride. But Grandma has a surprise - a magic scrapbook! If you have preteens in your orbit, please don't miss this delightful story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews