This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in
the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters,
regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and
setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a
generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio
recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for
teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).
Plot Summary for Hungry No More: It was 1845. The Irish were starving.
When their crops turned black and died, Johnny and Mary McGee with their
son Little John fled the Irish Potato Famine for Boston. A recruiter
found them a room and Johnny a job building a railroad. It was
exhausting work, away from home, and dangerous. Mary worked at a wool
mill and paid a neighbor woman to care for Little John. Their work was
hard and paid little, but they had enough to eat - life was better here
than in Ireland. Johnny was good at working with the other men, so he
was promoted to supervisor. Then his best friend was blown up. Johnny
returned to Boston, got a job as a policeman, worked as a volunteer
fireman, and got involved in local politics as a "ward heeler." He loved
helping other people. He and Mary had seven more children. Then, as the
Civil War began, Johnny volunteered. Mary worked and waited alone.