Over the Water

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A feisty Irish girl comes of age and discovers the strength and beauty of her family heritage in this emotional novel. As a teenager in England, Mary Maeve feels stifled by her mother's strict rules. She is not allowed to socialize with classmates, dress in the latest styles or have a boyfriend; she's to attend school and Mass only. Although Mary was born in England, her sour, Irish-immigrant mother is terrified of standing out as an alien. Mammy cautions her children: ``Keep your business to yourself,'' and ``Don't get involved with anyone.'' Not until Mary makes a painful visit ``over the water'' with her family does she learn the cause of her mother's bitterness and to accept and appreciate her people and their country. Casey's ambitious plot lays out a number of difficult themes--adolescent angst and rebellion; abusive parents; and the struggles that immigrants face. Fortunately, the young heroine's first-person narration steadily maintains the novel's focus. Ages 12-up. (May)

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-As they do every summer holiday, Mary's family returns to her parents' birthplace in Ireland. While the adults see themselves as aliens in England, Mary and her younger brother and sister were born there and consider London to be their home. Teased by her schoolmates because of her Irish roots and feeling alienated from her parents who allow her no freedom, the girl hovers on the brink of adulthood. Once in County Kilkenny, she falls into her usual pattern of helping with the farm chores, but must cope with the absence of her grandfather, who has died since the last visit, and wonders where she fits in. Angry at her siblings when they discover her sketchbook/journal, Mary accidentally thrusts a pitchfork through her brother's foot and is beaten as punishment. She unburdens her unhappiness to her aunt, who helps her to realize that her mother, like her, was once young and felt confused and alone. Casey captures the turbulence and heartbreak of adolescence. The rich portrayals and emotional depth exhibited by her multidimensional characters make this introspective novel memorable. The pastoral landscape of the Irish countryside is a perfect backdrop for their interactions, inner struggles, and reflections.-Jo-Anne Weinberg, Greenburgh Public Library, NY