A very enjoyable novel aimed at ages 9-12. A young Irish girl, sent to the workhouse with her younger siblings after her mother dies, decides to find her older sailor brother, sail to a new life to earn money so that she can rescue her brothers and sisters.
I really enjoyed this novel - the Irish voice sounded authentic, the journey by boat was well written - it conveyed the difficulties and trials faced by those on board, the characters were engaging and believable.
Some interesting factual material is contained at the end of the book along with a glossary. ( )

It's 1874 and after the death of her 'Mam' during childbirth, ten-year-old Rebecca Kelly is sent to the dreary Irish Derry workhouse along with her younger brother and sister. Rebecca decides that this is not the life for her, so she runs away, steals a horse to ride to Belfast where she hopes to board a ship bound for New Zealand. Rebecca is determined that she will join her brother, Felix, who is a sailor on the Queen of Nations, a ship bound for New Zealand, but this will be difficult for a young girl without a penny to her name. Rebecca must become a servant for the Walker family and earn her passage to the new colony. This book is aimed at 8 - 10 year olds so is written with this age group in mind, because of this i found it rather dull, but gave an idea of the long sea journey to a new country. However, i believe that it is a good series that can act as a pre-runner to the 'My Story' and "My New Zealand Story' series. I will recommend it to our lower readers to give them a glimpse into early New Zealand history and immigration. The New Zealand Girl Series brings young readers accessible historical fiction that will hopefully get them interested into reading deeper. ( )