Avi. (1996). Beyond the western sea: The escape from home. New York, NY: Orchard Books.

Beyond the Western Sea: The Escape from Home takes place in 1851. During this time, many people leave the “Old World” because of poverty. The Irish potato famine has left fifteen-year-old Maura and her twelve-old-year old brother Patrick O’Connell with nothing. The two peasants decide to leave Ireland and go to America to start over. Leaving, however, becomes a major obstacle. Although various people seem helpful, many of them take their money or trick them.

Laurence Kirkle, on the other hand, comes from a wealthy family. He runs away after a having an argument with his older brother Albert. Laurence soon discovers that certain individuals who befriend him only want a reward from the Kirkle family for returning him.

However, their paths cross in Liverpool. Although they come different social economic backgrounds, they have a common goal: to reach America. Will they make it?

Modeled after Victorian-styled novels, Beyond the Western is Sea has short chapters. Each one ends with a cliffhanger. Readers will want to continue reading to find out what happens next. The many twists in the plots keep reader engaged. At times the story gets confusing because chapters alternative between Maura’s or Laurence’s perspective, and there are many characters.

Nevertheless, readers will enjoy this adventure book and admire Maura’s character. She is selfless, courageous, and compassionate. Her character is believable and readers will be able to identify themselves with her. Although middle school students could read the book, I recommend it for high school students given its confusing plot. Appropriate for grades 6 though 9. ( )

As his village is tumbled by English soldiers, Patrick O’Connell, 12, throws a rock at Lord Kirkle’s agent, who threatens him with arrest if he doesn’t leave Ireland in two days. He and his sister Maura, 15, sail to Liverpool. Does he stay out of trouble there? No. He meets Laurence, 11, a runaway who doesn’t give his surname. It’s Kirkle, and he’s trying to avoid being found by various parties. The boys form a plan to stow Laurence on the ship the O’Connells are sailing to Boston on. You have to admire someone willing to break the law for someone he met yesterday.

You also have to admire an author who can create a girl who's complex, lovable, and completely believable as a person of her time. Maura’s prudent, compassionate, and brave. She’s never ashamed of her poverty or religion or country. She doesn’t hesitate before heading into burning buildings, and she slaps one of the best tricksters in Liverpool. (Although I maintain that Chapter 67 works best if you assume Toggs’s offer to take her somewhere better is sincerely meant. No professional liar would repeat a lie to the same person and expect them to believe it. He already has her money; what’s he interested in now is her. Not to say that he didn't deserve it.)

One of my favorite elements of this book is that all the characters have appropriate prejudices. Maura is initially reluctant to help an English boy. Laurence notes Patrick’s dirtiness and “puts on airs” with Fred, who scorns his naïveté. Half-Irish Mr. Pickler looks down on emigrants, and Patrick doesn’t want to be near a Protestant minister.

The plot, as the cover proclaims, is suspenseful. Even the second or third time through you can’t help but worry about the kids. There are some ironic or comically absurd scenes and some nice turns of phrase, like Pickler lifting his candle to consider Clemspool “in a new light.” There are allusions literary and historical – Lady Glencora, Robert Peel, the Iron Duke, “Look at his togs, Fagin.” Also, there’s a floating church.

I recommend it for anyone with the slightest tolerance for historical YA. ( )

Complex and very well-written. Read with the second book in hand. Impossible to put down. ( )

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