Ive read this and its brilliant! Its Marita at her best ... this cracking new book features a brave girl who fights back against the fairies who are determined to steal her little brother away -- Sarah Webb wonderful ... a page turning adventure full of bravery, fairies & friendship. Highly recommended -- Halfway Up the Stairs Set in the west of Ireland with inspiration drawn from Irish folklore and culture, 13-year-old Anna is thrown into the deep end when sent from London to spend time with her father and his new family. But when beguiling and bewildering events occur, Anna has a feeling there might be some truth in the tall tales shes told about the landscape she finds herself in Another triumph from one of Irelands most beloved authors -- Irish Examiner Marita is back Marita when shes on song usually hits it out of the park really strong buzz, really excited for this -- Dave OCallaghan, Here & Back Again pod Feels like the book every primary school has been waiting for, for the last 30 years -- Elaina Ryan, CBI, on Here & Back Again pod A contemporary story of family and love, stepped in ancient myth and folklore -- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner new novel from Marita Conlon-McKenna, one of Irelands best-known childrens storytellers. Set in Sligo, it follows 13-year-old Londoner Anna, who has returned to her fathers homestead under the shadow of Ben Bulben for the summer. The journey she takes is metaphorical too, as Anna tries to find a place for herself in her fathers new family. Annas family circumstances give Conlon-McKenna a rich social real-world context against which to place the otherworldly aspects of the story, which sings into a long history of Irish legend and lore Conlon-McKennas clever positioning of Annas rational fears beside the enchanted fantasy adds a thrilling edge, suggesting that the boundaries between the two worlds are even thinner than legends might have us believe -- Irish Times Marita Conlon-McKenna is an Irish award-winning childrens author, and we were thrilled to find Fairy Hill in our Postbag. OBrien Books are the publisher of this new novel, a fantastic story for it goes without saying that any story featuring the fairy folk so well-known in all our myths and legends, is sure to be a delight. But what makes this one so readable? It is the element of surprise, the narration of a tale that takes us from a home in Londons Notting Hill, to a wedding and then a flight to Dublin in a few short pages, the sense of mystery, wonder and magic is infused in every word, the feeling of needing to read on to discover more -- Armadillo Magazine introduce your children to the gripping writing of Marita Conlon-McKenna -- Sunday Times Ireland Conlon-McKenna brings together elements that are familiar ingredients in childrens literature; the fractured family, new relationships and friendships, change, the world of faerie and folk lore. They are familiar, indeed, but here skilfully woven together to create a warm-hearted story of family and friendship, of change and acceptance with just the right amount of jeopardy bringing an element of danger and potential loss Conlon-McKennas style is accessible and attractive, allowing for just enough description to create a sense of place, while a good use of dialogue engages the immediate attention. Traditional storytelling beautifully handled -- Books for Keeps One of Irelands best-loved storytellers for children is back with a story inspired by WB Yeats poem The Stolen Child, which brings together modern Ireland and Irish folklore in a captivating way. When Anna is sent from London to stay with her dad and his new family in rural Ireland, she is not happy but slowly her dads farm and the woods and animals start to work their magic. Annas intelligence and bravery are put to the test when her father ploughs a field said to contain a fairy fort. Strange things begin to happen A genuinely eerie and captivating story, with a cracking plot -- Sarah Webb, Irish Independent atmospheric adventure -- Inis Magazine Conlon-McKenna is an expert at crafting page-turners for pre-teens and builds a bewitching tale of mystery and suspense -- The Echo Id give the book a 10 out of 10. It was one of the best books I have read. I would definitely read it again -- Seįn, 6th Class, Urbleshanny NS, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan * Seomra Ranga * The book is brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would suggest it for children aged 9-12. It is exciting and scary atmospheric adventure with the excitement and pace increasing around the final encounter, Anna, a very engaging character, must brave the dangers of the fairy ring -- Children's Books Irelands Annual Reading Guide 2023 the very best in Irish childrens books published in 2023 ... lovers of adventure stories will enjoy Fairy Hill by Marita Conlon-McKenna -- RTEJr A new story from Ireland's most beloved children's storyteller, Fairy Hill is a gentle, easy read and an excellent entry point for new readers -- Donegal Live Marita Conlon-McKenna, of course you know from Under the Hawthorn Tree still going really strong and looks like a lovely book Fairy Hill, its a hot recommendation -- RTE Radios Oliver Callan show
