A Proper Place

Kevin and Sadie #4

by Joan Lingard

A Protestant girl and a Catholic boy from Northern Ireland cope with family members, the baptism of their child, and a move from the Liverpool slums to a Cheshire farm.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Ireland, Romance

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Joan Lingard was born in Edinburgh, in the Old Town, but grew up in Belfast where she lived until she was 18. She attended Strandtown Primary and then got a scholarship into Bloomfied Collegiate. She has three daughters and five grandchildren, and now lives in Edinburgh with her Canadian husband.

Lingard has written novels for both adults and children. She is probably most famous for the teenage-aimed Kevin and Sadie series, which have sold over one million copies and have been reprinted many times since.

Her first novel Liam's Daughter was an adult-orientated novel published in 1963. Her first children's novel was The Twelfth Day of July (the first of the five Kevin and Sadie books) in 1970.

Lingard received the prestigious West German award the "Buxtehuder Bulle" in 1986 for Across the Barricades. Tug of War has also received great success: shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 1989, The Federation of Children's Book Group Award 1989, runner up in the Lancashire Children's Book Club of the year 1990 and shortlisted for the Sheffield Book Award. In 1998, her book Tom and the Tree House won the Scottish Arts Council Children's Book Award. Her most recent novel, What to Do About Holly was released in August 2009.

Lingard was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to children's literature.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Kevin and Sadie series by Joan Lingard. This one sees the couple living in the slums of Liverpool with a young baby son. Several visits from family back home in Ireland aren't exactly welcome especially one from Kevin's younger brother Gerald who moves in with them and is a bit of a troublemaker. Soon after a chance of a new start in the countryside appears with work on the farm for Kevin and Gerald. I dont remember reading this one before back in the early 80s when I read the first three books in the series so it was new to me. It was an enjoyable read as usual from Joan Lingard.

[Katie Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER AHEAD!!!!!!

ok ima just say 2 things: THE DOGGO IS SO FRICKING CUTEEEEEEEEE! and I love the development of the character Gerald - especially at the end when it shows him saving for that guitar 🎸 cause it is just so sweet! I love Kevin and Sadie because it is quite a light read but also so beautiful and moving and ofc it always ends in a very positive way which is always nice!!!!

[Taff Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading one after another of this series gives the whole story so much substance and weight. Now, fifty years after they were written, they stand as great time capsules too

[Melina · Rating 3 out of 5]

[5/28/2015, looking back.]

I vaguely remember reading this series back in senior year when a freshman friend let me read them. They were amazing and gave me a view into Irish culture in the ... I forget what time period, but I loved that I got to see this young couple trying to make a life for themselves. It was interesting and strange, like looking into a foggy window. The whole concept of hippies was entertained, I think, but as some friends they met on the way. I think the book series was based in the late 50s or early 60s... but I can't remember. I just remember that the leading characters were Protestant and Catholic (the leading girl was Protestant, I think, and the boy Catholic).

Their friends back home were having some issues with the IRA... or something such like. But it was an interesting read. I didn't know there was another book, but I'll be on the lookout for it.

[Tilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life moves quickly for Kevin and Sadie, now with a baby in tow. Interesting to see their transition from town to country, and to see them being able to make choices for their future. Highlights of the book are the introduction of Gerald, always mentioned in previous books but goes through a great arc here and Sadie’s can do attitude. Wish I had more of it myself!

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kevin and Sadie have moved to Liverpool and are able to move on with their lives. Visitors from home ensure that their religious differences are not forgotten, but a move to the country helps to improve their quality of life.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series, but then my interest began to wane. Too young maybe? That, and too not-straight ;)