Beany now sixteen, is a junior and busy with the school paper. More than anything else she wants the editor to pick her to go the school paper convention. Norbett Rhodes has moved to Ohio and suggested that Beany could date others. Devastated at first, Beany has made friends with Andy Kern who thoughtfully likes to keep things light (in the dating department). After promising her nice mother, Beany reluctantly befriends a new girl at school, Dulcie, who is a showoff and very flirtatious with the boys. Dulcie soon makes enemies with lots of the girls in school – including the editor of the paper. Beany is caught between a rock and a hard place because, while disapproving of Dulcie's behavior, she sees that underneath the tough exterior, Dulcie is a insecure girl without the benefit of the supportive family Beany has been blessed with. Meanwhile, Norbett Rhodes shows up, mysteriously seeking Beany's help. Martie Malone and his new wife are understanding through all of these escapades, but definitely not clueless. In the end intregrity wins out over trying to be popular for Beany and Dulcie's flirtatious ways cause her to lose the friendship of the one boy she really cared about. This story more seriously tackles issues about dating than the previous books do – especially the dangers of "going steady". The author subtlely (and at times not-so-subtlely) encourages good friendships and fun double-dating in the high school years rather than intense romantic relationships.

I often have the hardest time reviewing my very favorite books. The O'Sullivan family, of Ireland in the 1930s, have become very dear to us over the years. The story is simple and charming, but very real...in the best sense. You pick up the book and can't help reading it with an Irish brogue..and getting carried away from the modern noisy, busy world of today to a land of simplicity and beauty (though not an easy life).

The O'Sullivans are poor, but their home is filled with love. The older children, Michael and Brigid, take a journey through the Irish countryside to sell the family donkey for their Father. Along the way, they rescue a mischievous dog who leads them to an unusual treasure. The young twins, Liam and Francie are adventurous and mischievous – imagining themselves in the roles of heroes of Irish folklore.

It's an excellent read aloud story for the family or could be handled solo by a 9 or 10 year old. Hilda van Stockum is a great storyteller; all-the-while weaving a great deal of faith and wisdom into a lively glimpse of Irish culture.

Pegeen is the final book in the Bantry Bay Series, which chronicles the O'Sullivan family of Ireland in the 1930s. In this story, Pegeen, an orphan who was befriended by Francie in the previous story, comes to live with the O'Sullivans while waiting to be sent to her uncle in America. A rather wild girl with very little "upbringing", Pegeen gets into all kinds of trouble and adventures. In the midst of all this she manages to win the hearts of the O'Sullivans and does learn to become more responsible for her actions. The conclusion is very sweet and touching. Pegeen will surely capture your heart too!

A fictional diary of a young Irish-English girl who is raised in a Catholic orphanage in London and is hired as a companion to a wealthy lady for the duration of the Titanic's voyage to America (where she hopes to meet up with her older brother). Margaret, having lived on the streets with her brother for some time before coming to the orphanage, is wise beyond her years with a somewhat cynical streak. Her attitude toward the opulence of the Titanic and the lifestyle of her first class passengers gives the reader both a sense of the historical reality of the Titanic and the times in which this tragic event took place. It is within this context that mankind learned a severe lesson about his own limitations. I think it is a rather good way to illustrate these details of the Titanic – through the eyes of someone who, like us, is unaccustomed to such things.

The author attempts to treat the Catholic Church and Margaret's Irish-Catholic upbringing with respect. However, she betrays a lack of understanding of at least one rather significant detail... In the story, Margaret makes no distinction between a Catholic Mass and a "Mass" [according to the story] which is presided over by the ship's captain. In reality a girl who had spent five years in an orphanage (and become close friends with the nuns there) would have been familiar with these distinctions and considered them important. We also know that there was a Catholic Mass said aboard the Titanic that fateful Sunday (as explained on the website about Fr. Thomas Byles).

Margaret has a rather innocent romantic interest in one of the ship's stewards (although I imagine that the two of them spending time alone together would probably have been frowned upon) and receives a farewell kiss from him before he goes down with the Titanic.

It might make an interesting point of discussion to consider how Margaret (or someone in her position) might have turned to her Catholic faith in order to try to cope with her loss in this great tragedy.