The Grave by James Heneghan Date of Publication: 2002 ISBN: 0888994990 Number of Pages: 256

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Average
GENRES: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure
THEMES: Appearance versus Reality, Survival, Coming of Age, Family

SUMMARY:
Thirteen-year-old Tom is an unhappy foster child living in Liverpool in the 1970's. A mass grave is unearthed at his school and he is inexplicably drawn to it. He falls into the grave and is transported to 1847 in Ireland during the Great Potato Famine.

While in Ireland, Tom becomes involved with the Monaghan family and begins to experience what it means to be part of a family. The only unnerving part is that their son Tully could be mistaken for his identical twin. As Tom tries to understand why he is transported to this particular time and place in Ireland, he keeps being yanked back to Liverpool where he is lonely, unloved, and without family roots.

By being with the Monaghan family, Tom discovers the past and he realizes that they are the key to his destiny.

In his final transport back to Liverpool, Tom discovers his real identity and finally understands what “family” truly means.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...

• loves mysteries
• has family issues
• likes time travel stories
• likes historical fiction
• wishes he or she could go back in time
• is interested in Irish history

WHAT ELSE?
This book was chosen as the ALA's Best Book for Young Adults 2002, and won the Mr. Christie's Book Award Silver Seal in 2002.

RELATED LINK:
Author's Website