Sally in the City of Dreams

For sheer, unadulterated reading pleasure, there’s little that matches Sally in the City of Dreams

-- Books for Keeps

A much-needed work of children’s historical fiction: immigration and 20th-century New York ... It is estimated that nearly five million people emigrated from Ireland to the US between 1820 and 1930, and that, by 1855, Irish-born New Yorkers comprised almost one third of the city’s population. This extraordinary exodus sometimes feels overlooked by children’s historical fiction, but Sally in the City of Dreams reminds us what we’re missing …Curtin is best known for her Alice and Megan books, which chronicle the highs and lows of two friends after one moves away. Her mix of psychological acuity and colloquial prose has made her one of Ireland’s most popular children’s authors. As with Jacqueline Wilson, to whom she is often compared, her historical fiction is just as accessible .. this is an ambitious book, with a personal feel. Curtin’s novel was inspired by her grandmother, who emigrated as a child from County Kerry to Brooklyn: “[Her letters] reminded me that even though these girls were sad at being far from home|… they had a lot of fun.” The same can be said of Curtin’s young heroines, whose abilities to bounce back from adversity makes one suspect a sequel will soon follow

-- The Telegraph

movie ready

-- RTE Radio 1’s The Nine O’Clock Show

one of the best books I have read in a long time … I thought this book was amazing … The illustration on the cover is lovely … I would recommend this book for 9-12 year olds but you could probably read it a little younger too. Overall I thought this book was really good. It is a definite 10/10 from me - Hannah, Age 11, 5th Class, St. Michael’s School, Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim

-- Seomraranga.com

a wonderful children’s story about emigration, something barely any family in Ireland hasn’t been affected by (even these days.) The story of their final night in Ireland is touching, and the confusion and how overwhelming it can be to arrive in a new city – or country – alone … such a wonderful story, and one junior history nerds will absolutely love

-- Pretty Purple Polka Dots

It is an absolute pleasure to review Judi's latest books, as they are always wholesome and uplifting, even when danger strikes. That is certainly true for Sally In The City of Dreams, with a gorgeous cover by Rachel Corcoran whose work I have seen before and like a lot. It captures the essence of sisterhood and friendship… Sally's tale is absolutely an insight into life back in the 1800s … a happy ending … may need tissues

-- Nayu's Reading Corner

a lovely piece of historical fiction that’s pitched perfectly at its young audience … an easy read with engaging and relatable central characters, lots of super period detail and just the right amount of drama … I loved the relationships between the three girls … I can’t wait to discover what else New York has in store for them in future books

-- Get Kids into Books

a fabulous historical fiction book perfect for introducing children to the story of Irish immigration … I adored Sally's voice and optimism throughout the book … This book is perfect for fans of Wildflower Girl by Martina Conlon-McKenna and I hope this is just the start of Sally's story and we have more books covering her time in America

-- A Teacher’s Guide to Reading

The kindness and honesty of the girls shines through encouraging the reader to root for them every step of the way … Themes of racism, poverty, class systems and immigration paint an authentic picture of what life was like for the thousands of people who made this life-changing journey

-- Scope for Imagination

 a wonderfully charming and exciting historical adventure with friendship and family at its heart … A heart-warming, exciting historical adventure with strong friendships, sure to be adored by young readers of 9+

-- Book Craic

a wonderful story of Irish immigration in the early 20th century. Fun and exciting, it also gives us a rare view as to what life was like for these brave people, off to start a new life in an unknown land … Through the expert drawing of the characters, the reader is pulled into an intriguing tale that happened to so many Irish … a warm-hearted, well-constructed work of historical fiction that will wrap itself around the hearts and minds of its’ young readers. Imaginatively taken from elements of her own grandmother’s story, Judi has created a book of adventure, wonder, persistence, family and friendship. Clearly, this is a work of love…and I certainly love it!

-- Fallen Star Stories

compelling ... Curtin’s story managed to capture the mixed emotions experienced by sisters Sally and Bridget as they prepare to leave their family home and set off on their big adventure to New York. I think many readers will have experienced similar emotions themselves, perhaps when they’ve moved house or school. It also highlighted the difficulties and prejudice faced by many Irish immigrants as the girls arrive on Ellis Island and find that people aren’t as welcoming as they’d imagined. Looking for accommodation and employment proved difficult without connections and people were not always kind. However, the strong sense of community which existed amongst other Irish immigrants proved to be a real support. I can imagine that any reader aged 9+ would enjoy this story

-- Library Girl and Book Boy

Nobody writes warm, kind friendship stories quite like Judi Curtin, and this new historical novel, set in New York in the early 1900s, is her best yet. Young Irish sisters, Sally and Bridget, sail to New York city to find work but when Bridget is accused of stealing, it’s up to Sally to save her. Curtin never shies away from the difficulties of life at the time, especially for girls, and she brings history truly alive for young readers

-- Irish Independent

Judi Curtin at her best. Sally and Bridget’s story is both tenacious and gentle as they navigate what it means to be an Irish immigrant in America

-- Irish Examiner

Inspired by her own grandmother’s emigration to New York in the early 1900s, Curtin, whose grandparents returned to Ireland when her grandfather found work at Cork’s Ford Motor Company, explores a period sometimes overlooked in children’s historical fiction, through her stock in trade of well-developed female characters bound together in the face of adversity

-- Irish Examiner, Pet O’Connell

Ireland, 1911, and sisters Sally and Bridget are preparing to sail from Queenstown (Cobh), Co Cork, in search of a new life in New York. An American wake brings a few fleeting hours of music and joy before the girls say goodbye, perhaps forever, to family, friends, and all they have ever known. By the time their boat passes Roches Point, most passengers are in tears, though the sisters and their new friend Julia stay positive by focusing on the opportunities awaiting them in the city of dreams … In their vast, often inhospitable new surroundings, the girls soon learn about injustice and anti-Irish prejudice, and when a false accusation is made, they must rely on their wits and each other to survive. Inspired by her own grandmother’s emigration to New York in the early 1900s, Curtin … explores a period sometimes overlooked in children’s historical fiction, engaging readers with strong female characters bound together in the face of adversity. Ages 7-12

-- Pet O’Connell, The Echo

This sweet story centres on the importance of bravery, kindness, self-determination, sisterhood and friendship, reminding us not to judge a book by its cover

-- Children's Books Ireland’s Annual Reading Guide 2023

the very best in Irish children’s books published in 2023 ... Fans of historical fiction aged 9+ might also enjoy Sally in the City of Dreams by Judi Curtin which follows young sisters who emigrate from Ireland to New York in the early 1900s

-- RTEJr

This beautifully written story about emigration and the Irish experience abroad is sure to thrill all the burgeoning historians in the family

-- Donegal Live

Judi Curtin’s latest historical novel tells the story of two sisters emigrating from Ireland to America; it also reads as an introduction to the Irish Immigrant experience at the turn of the century. The novel indicates the year is ‘early 1900s’ rather than a specific year so the reader is immediately open to the generality of the story. What Curtin does so well is write about the living history of the moment, balancing historical detail with stories so the reader isn’t tied to dates and historical events, but open to a time period and cultural experience. There is enough threat in the story make an exciting read, but Curtin allows enough distance from daily threat to make the book a safe read for young children. For example, while Sally and Bridget are poor, they arrive in America with clean, well-paying jobs with good employers and a safe place to stay. The reader feels the opportunity and hope if the immigrant experience through Sally who loves her job and can send money home to her family, while experiencing the danger and uncertainly and loneliness of many through Julia, a young girl befriended by the sisters. Sally’s story could be the story of thousands looking for a future in a new country. While this is an historical novel, the reader feels the homesickness, the uncertainty, and the hope that is universal to the immigrant experience. It is a gentle novel that tells a simple story but hints at much more

-- childrensbooksirelan