Kathleen: The Celtic Knot (Girls of Many Lands)

Rating:
Summary: Passed By (Too Quickly) With Flying Colors!
Review: "The rough, distempered floorboards seemed to disappear from under me, my feet barely brushed them, and I flew. It was all airy and feathery, like walking on water, like skimming over clouds. I was kicking and twirling in a new, airy element flying in time with the music into a different world, where weight didn't matter, where gravity didn't exist...I was going to dance my way to the stars on airy-fairy feet, light as air, free as a bird." Just like Kathleen feels when she's dancing, this book flew by in a whirl of vivid characters, brilliant descriptions, and happily ever afters.
Kathleen Murphy, a poor Irish girl, is made to take dancing lessons by her strict teacher Mother Rosario. After being tricked into believing the lessons are free, she has to quit after one wonderful, tantalizing class because it is too expensive. Mrs. Maguire, the dance instructor, gives her a scholarship, and it seems like she can finally dance, as she loves to do. But soon, she is accepted into the dancing feis, a big competition, and needs a costume. Kathleen will try anything to get that expensive costume!
This book was delightful to read. The plot was sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and it ended in a wonderful happy ending. The characters were all very true-to-life, and you could relate to them and feel happy and sad for them. I also learned about Ireland in the 1930s and '40s.

Rating:
Summary: "Riverdance" meets "Angela's Ashes"
Review: Kathleen Murphy lives in Dublin, Ireland in 1937. Ireland is in the midst of another Depression, and Kathleen's father is out of work. After showing up to her (Catholic) school late one too many times, one of the sisters recommends Irish dance lessons as a way to keep Kathleen out of trouble. Kathleen finds from the very first lesson that she loves to dance and has a real talent for it, but the issue of not being able to pay for classes nearly ends her career at the beginning.

She is chosen to represent her dance school at a feis (dance competition), but is haunted by her mother's severe illness and her lack of money for a dance costume (a requirement to participate). Her favourite Aunt Polly grows distant as well, and Kathleen prays for a miracle. Her miracle does indeed come, but not in a way anyone expected!

"Kathleen: The Celtic Knot" is a fabulous read, very Irish in character (each novel is written by someone from the country it takes place in) and similar at times to Irish novelist Frank McCourt's voice. Many Irish expressions and Gaelic words are sprinkled liberally in the text. The back of the book features a segment on life in Ireland and a glossary of Irish/Gaelic words and expressions. An uplifting tale for American Girl fans and Irish dance enthusiasts, those who love Irish culture or those just looking for an entertaining read.

Rating:
Summary: anti-Christian book
Review: This book is positively horrible! Within just the first few pages it starts up with the old stereotypes of the mean Catholic nuns teaching school. It then goes on to develop the hero of the story - Kathleen's 20 year old aunt "Polly" who likes to wear bright red lipstick, smoke, and hates anything to do with Christianity or the Church. The truth is that "Polly's" real name is "Mary", but she cannot bear the idea of that name so she demands that everyone call her "Polly" instead. In one scene Polly lectures her brother-in-law, Kathleen's father, on the dangers of going to church, praying, and devotions.