Once on this Island by Gloria Whelan

Once on this Island by Gloria Whelan

From the author of the National Book Award-winning novel Homeless Bird comes a gripping historical novel about a young girl during the British-American War of 1812.

When war erupts between England and America, it brings change and uncertainty, even to Michigan's remote Mackinac Island.  For young Mary O'Shea, the hardest change is the departure of her father, who leaves Mackinac to join the American Army. With her sister and brother, Mary must tend the farm, deal with the hardships of British occupation, and hope for the safe return of their father.

With her trademark lyricism, spare prose, and strong young heroine, award-winning author Gloria Whelan has once again taken a chapter from history and transformed it into gripping, accessible historical fiction that is perfect for schools and classrooms, as well as for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Elizabeth Wein.

Gerard Whelan was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in a number of places around Europe. He has returned to his hometown of Wexford after spending some time in Dublin. He is the author of numerous children's books and has won numerous awards. The Guns of Easter, his first novel, won the Eils Dillon Memorial Prize for first-time authors. The Bisto Book of the Year Award was later given to Dream Invader.

He's also been named to the Reading Association of Ireland's shortlist. A Winter of Spies and Out of Nowhere are two further books by Gerard.