Irish Chain

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Story about the Tragic Halifax Explosion!
Review: When my mom got me this book for Christmas, I must admit I was reluctant to read it. I had never heard of that horrible halifax explosion, so I put it aside till Febuary. And I got right into it, believe it or not. It even got me to watch the recent documentry on the halifax explosion.

The book starts off in the winter or 1917, and the main character Rose Dunlea is worrying about her problems, and wishing she was perfect. Don't we all? But her problems wasn't her wishing that she was a supermodel, like other books. True she did mention once or twice that she wished she could be a little prettier. Her problem was that she was dyslexia, and in 1917 a person with dyslexia was slow and dumb! Dyslexia for those don't know is a difference in the brain. They are as intelligent as the average person, they just have trouble with what is seen or heard. For Rose, she was the seeing problem. Numbers and letters seem to jump and move when she writes them. Her da won't let her drop out of school because he wants his kids to have the education he never had. Rose has already been held back twice and has absolutely no friends. In these times she turned to the irish chain quilt. Each patch has a story of her ancestors. These stories are told throughout the book.

She wishes she never has to go to school again, or so she told God. Then on December 9, 1917, two ships crash in Halifax harbour, one of them was carrying explosives. And they explode destroying buildings and kill and wound so many. This would go down as the worst Canadian disaster perhaps ever to happen. Rose convinced that it is her fault (remember her praying to god wishing she doesn't have to go school anymore) is grief-striken. She goes around and tries to find all her family and friends. Many of her loved ones are dead, or seirously injured...but still there are some who alive. This story is a heart warming story that shows that the human spirit still endures through all catrosphes(sorry about that misspelling).

If this book had any major faults, I failed to catch them. The characters were all vividly delinated(drawn)in words. It makes you cry, wonder, cheer and wish that you could shake hands with Rose Dunlea. Then again I'm canadian, so maybe this book meant more to me then it will to others from different countries.

Also at the end of this book is a lovely worthwhile author's note by Barbara Haworth-Attard, photos of the halifax explosion and a step by step instructions on how to make your own irish chain quilt. Enjoy!