Fields of Home (Children of the Famine)
#3 of 3 in Children Of The Famine Series
What’s inside...
The final book in the famine trilogy follows Eily, Michael, and Peggy as they navigate the tumultuous times in Ireland marked by evictions, burnings, and fights over land. As Eily's first child, Mary-Brigid, looks forward to a hopeful future, the rest of the family faces uncertainty. Eily and her family risk losing their farm, Michael may lose his job, and Peggy feels trapped as a maid in America. Despite the challenges, the family's courage that once helped them survive the famine is called upon once again to face the new struggles. The book also ties into the importance of family during hardships in the nineteenth century Ireland and America.
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt during their journey? Can you relate to any of their emotions?
What do you think motivated the characters to keep going despite the challenges they faced?
How do the friendships in the book help the characters to survive and overcome their obstacles?
What lessons can we learn about resilience and hope from the characters?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the characters' shoes to better understand their feelings and actions. Discuss the historical context of the famine to give them a deeper understanding of the challenges faced. Highlight the importance of friendship and community as seen in the book. Ask your child to think about modern-day situations that might require similar resilience and hope. Finally, reinforce the moral lessons by relating them to your child's experiences and discussing how they can apply them in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience during adversity
Explanation: In 'Fields of Home', the characters face numerous struggles, from famine to displacement. Their perseverance despite these hardships shows the endurance of the human spirit.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain hopeful and persistent despite facing difficulties in their own lives, whether it's dealing with tough situations at school or overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and community support
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters lean on each other for support, showcasing the strength of communal ties and the importance of family during tough times.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to value and nurture relationships with family and peers, understanding that these connections provide strength and comfort during challenging periods.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: The characters often display acts of kindness and understanding towards others who are also suffering. This highlights the importance of empathy in human interactions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more empathetic and considerate towards others' feelings and situations, fostering a more compassionate community environment.
Example Lesson: Coping with loss and change
Explanation: As the characters in the story deal with losing their homes and loved ones, they adapt to new environments and circumstances, illustrating the process of coping with significant changes and loss.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that change and loss are parts of life, teaching them to adapt and find new ways to thrive.