Books for children

Taking Sides by Brian Gallagher (O’Brien Press; €7.99) is a very apt title as the story is set in the early twenties when the newly independent Ireland rushed headlong into a bloody and divisive civil war.

The protagonist Anne Reilly is an all-clean heroine who is horrified by any hint of violence and instead concentrates on achieving her ambition of becoming a teacher, aided by a scholarship to Eccles Street. When she befriends Susie and her brother Peter from a well-off background she is forced to put her pacifism into action. Peter has been compromised by his anti-treaty stance and on the spur of the moment uses her as an alibi when stopped by the police. Peter’s later actions have dire consequences for both their wider families. The atmosphere of 1920s Dublin is well created, and though Annie appears somewhat two-dimensional at times, the interplay and dialogue between the youngsters is realistic. There is much filling in of background historical material but this is necessary for today’s young readers. Suitable for age 10 and upwards.

Poppy’s Hero by Rachel Billington (Frances Lincoln; €8.35) is a novel which explores the concepts of truth and communication. Poppy’s father is missing and to her chagrin the last person to confide in her is her mother. She gleans information about his arrest and forthcoming trial from her friends in school, some of whom are only too glad to pass on the bad news. Poppy had adored her father, Big Frank, so sets out to prove his innocence. Her willing ally is Will who has major problems of his own as he spends periods of his life in hospital, but he is sympathetic and understanding. Their cack-handed plan to spring her father is scuppered when, to her horror, Big Frank is found guilty and moved to serve his sentence on an island prison. The focus then changes as Poppy has to find out should she spring him with the aid of street-wise Angel, whose own father is in and out of prison. An excellent look at the trauma experienced by the families of prisoners. Suitable for age 12 and upwards.