Lennon is a twelve-year-old girl, living with her family in Ireland during the potato famine of 1845-1850. Her father and brothers have left their home to find work, leaving Lennon and her mother to survive on their own. They are poor and hungry, struggling to find food and enough money to pay the landlord and keep their home. Lennon needs faith, hope, and courage to persevere through the struggles and prepare her for the life-changing journey of finding a better future in America.
From the first page, I knew I liked Lennon’s strong and relatable character. I was drawn to this story because, like Lennon’s family, my great (or great-great) grandparents left Ireland to come to America during the famine. Author Molly McNamara Carter’s beautiful writing gives a vivid picture of what life was like for the Irish people at this time in history. A Sea of Stars touched my heart. I highly recommend this book for teens, but this inspiring, historical novel will be loved by all ages.