| Maggie’s Amerikay  By
Bridget English
Maggie’s Amerikay is a new picture book that will teach your child
something of their Irish-American heritage.
Set in New Orleans in the 1890s, author Barbara Timberlake Russell tells
the story of Maggie McCrary, a young Irish immigrant uncertain of her
place in her new surroundings. Homesick for Ireland, Maggie feels isolated
from the neighborhood girls who mock her for attending school instead
of working as a tobacco roller as they do. It is only when she befriends
Nathan, an African-American boy who aspires to become a ragtime musician,
that Maggie begins to appreciate her new surroundings. The music of Ireland
and that of New Orleans figures heavily in the tale as a way to break
down cultural barriers. Targeted towards readers from ages 6-9, the book
features beautiful illustrations by Irish-American award-winning artist
Jim Burke.
Author Barbara Timberlake Russell has received recognition for past works
such as The Remembering Stone. As a former resident of New Orleans, she
writes with a deep affection for the music and culture of the city. Despite
seeming a bit contrived, the book provides an interesting if improbable
tale of immigrant life that may inspire young readers to learn more about
their heritage.
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