For sheer, unadulterated reading pleasure, there's little that matches Sally in the City of Dreams
-- Books for Keeps
A much-needed work of children's historical fiction: immigration and 20th-century New York ... It is estimated that nearly five million people emigrated from Ireland to the US between 1820 and 1930, and that, by 1855, Irish-born New Yorkers comprised almost one third of the city's population. This extraordinary exodus sometimes feels overlooked by children's historical fiction, but Sally in the City of Dreams reminds us what we're missing ...Curtin is best known for her Alice and Megan books, which chronicle the highs and lows of two friends after one moves away. Her mix of psychological acuity and colloquial prose has made her one of Ireland's most popular children's authors. As with Jacqueline Wilson, to whom she is often compared, her historical fiction is just as accessible .. this is an ambitious book, with a personal feel. Curtin's novel was inspired by her grandmother, who emigrated as a child from County Kerry to Brooklyn: [Her letters] reminded me that even though these girls were sad at being far from home|... they had a lot of fun. The same can be said of Curtin's young heroines, whose abilities to bounce back from adversity makes one suspect a sequel will soon follow
-- The Telegraph
movie ready
-- RTE Radio 1's The Nine O'Clock Show
one of the best books I have read in a long time ... I thought this book was amazing ... The illustration on the cover is lovely ... I would recommend this book for 9-12 year olds but you could probably read it a little younger too. Overall I thought this book was really good. It is a definite 10/10 from me - Hannah, Age 11, 5th Class, St. Michael's School, Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim
-- Seomraranga.com
a wonderful children's story about emigration, something barely any family in Ireland hasn't been affected by (even these days.) The story of their final night in Ireland is touching, and the confusion and how overwhelming it can be to arrive in a new city - or country - alone ... such a wonderful story, and one junior history nerds will absolutely love
-- Pretty Purple Polka Dots
It is an absolute pleasure to review Judi's latest books, as they are always wholesome and uplifting, even when danger strikes. That is certainly true for Sally In The City of Dreams, with a gorgeous cover by Rachel Corcoran whose work I have seen before and like a lot. It captures the essence of sisterhood and friendship... Sally's tale is absolutely an insight into life back in the 1800s ... a happy ending ... may need tissues
-- Nayu's Reading Corner
a lovely piece of historical fiction that's pitched perfectly at its young audience ... an easy read with engaging and relatable central characters, lots of super period detail and just the right amount of drama ... I loved the relationships between the three girls ... I can't wait to discover what else New York has in store for them in future books
-- Get Kids into Books
a fabulous historical fiction book perfect for introducing children to the story of Irish immigration ... I adored Sally's voice and optimism throughout the book ... This book is perfect for fans of Wildflower Girl by Martina Conlon-McKenna and I hope this is just the start of Sally's story and we have more books covering her time in America
-- A Teacher's Guide to Reading
The kindness and honesty of the girls shines through encouraging the reader to root for them every step of the way ... Themes of racism, poverty, class systems and immigration paint an authentic picture of what life was like for the thousands of people who made this life-changing journey
-- Scope for Imagination
a wonderfully charming and exciting historical adventure with friendship and family at its heart ... A heart-warming, exciting historical adventure with strong f