Breda's Island

In the vein of When You Trap a Tiger and Shouting at the Rain, this is the story of the journey one girl undertakes to find herself.

After Breda Moriarity gets caught stealing one too many times, Breda's mom sends her to Ireland, a place she has never been, to live with the grandfather she has never met.

While Breda doesn’t want to be in this strange land, she finally gets to meet Granda, her mom’s father. He’s a grumpy farmer who is also a seanchaí, a traditional Gaelic storyteller. But the most important story is the one nobody will talk about: what happened to her absent father. If nothing else this summer, Breda is determined to figure out the truth about her family’s history—and herself.

This powerfully poignant middle grade novel, the first from award-winning author Jessie Ann Foley, asks questions about estranged relationships, immigration, and family secrets.

What happens when the summer meant to be a punishment becomes the key to unlocking her entire past?

• A Reluctant Summer in Ireland: Breda’s punishment is a one-way ticket to her grandfather’s farm on the Dingle Peninsula—a place she’s never been, with family she’s never met.
• The Grumpy Storyteller: Her grandfather isn’t just a quiet farmer; he’s a seanchaí, a traditional Gaelic storyteller whose enchanting tales hold clues to their shared history.
• An Absent Father Mystery: The biggest story is the one Granda won’t tell: the truth about Breda's absent father. Breda's determined to find answers, no matter what they are.
• Finding Your Roots: From helping deliver a calf to discovering the magic of the land, Breda finds a connection to her Irish heritage she never expected.