Bog Child
by Siobhan Dowd
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+
Published by Random House, 2015
About this book
Northern Ireland in 1981 is a confusing place to grow up. The Troubles are at their height and Fergus’ brother is on hunger strike in prison. His parents are always arguing and the world around Fergus seems beset by conflict and unrest.
One day while digging for peat with his uncle, Fergus unearths the body of a perfectly preserved Iron-Age girl. As her tragic story unfolds in his dreams, we learn more of his own burgeoning love life and hopes for the future.
This is a beautifully written coming-of-age tale, which deals with themes of mortality, peace and sacrifice. Fergus is an immensely likeable character whose story, along with that of the bog child, will long stay with those who read it.
About the author
More books like this
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A Swift Pure Cry
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The Guggenheim Mystery
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The Pavee and the Buffer Girl
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The London Eye Mystery
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Lists of recommended reads
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St Patrick’s Day books for older children (9+)
Why not ring in St Patrick's Day this year by adding these books to your reading list? Our St Patrick's Day booklist featuring titles about or set in the Emerald Isle features a range of books - from tales of time travel, magic, witches, natural disasters and mythical worlds to both funny and hard-hitting books about contemporary Ireland and short stories too. We've picked out these titles for slightly older readers which could make you see Ireland in a whole new light... so which one will you be sampling first on 17 March?
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Books about family members in prison
Many books are pure entertainment, but sometimes it's important to read stories that reflect reality. These books are set in the real world, and the main characters have a family member in prison. They are aimed at a variety of age groups, and all are fiction. I Send You a Hug is the exception to this, as it's more general. It's about loving someone even when you're far away, which might be useful to read with young children.