Maggie's Door

Written by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic data

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2003. Maggie’s Door. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

ISBN 0385900953

Plot Summary

Nora is the last of her family to leave on the journey to America to escape the famine and disease of Ireland. As Nora and a friend, Sean, travel independently to the ships and America, they overcome many obstacles that seem never ending. As you travel with them, you will soon hope for their success in reaching Maggie’s door in Brooklyn, New York.

Critical Analysis

For the majority of the story Patricia Reilly Giff alternates the chapters between Sean Mallon and Nory Ryan. Each one describes the challenges that they encounter on their journeys to Brooklyn, New York. During each chapter the alternate characters discuss their memories of happier times with family and friends in Ireland. To understand some of the unfamiliar terms in the story, Giff has provided a glossary at the beginning of the book. She also has a list of “The People of Maidin Bay” to help the reader keep up with the characters.

Giff does not include a date in the story, so a reader may not know that some of the information is factual unless they read the Afterword of the book. Even so, the Afterword is very helpful in understanding the historical references in the story. I found it interesting that Giff has a personal connection to the Irish immigrants in 1845.

This story is filled with loss, despair, hope, and survival. It is very easy to feel sympathy for the characters throughout the novel. Even with the hopeful end the story is sad and depressing. The struggles and heartache definitely out-weigh the happiness in this story.

Review Excerpts

• “Giff uses vivid language and precisely detailed observation to convey experience and emotion.” Horn Book
• “Giff brings the immigration history to life through the heartbreaking experiences of parting, loss, and, sometimes, thrilling reunion.” Booklist
• “..the book consistently expresses the children's strength and courage-which eventually leads them to one another and, later, to Maggie's door in Brooklyn.” Publishers Weekly

Connections

• Have students research and learn more about the Irish culture.
• Have students investigate different cultures that immigrated to America.