Fiona's family immigrates to the United States from Ireland in hopes of a better economic future. When they arrive, they're working harder and living worse than they ever have before. When the great Chicago fire of 1871 arrives while her parents are out working, Fiona must escape with her sister. She uses her parent's courtship tale of a lace trail to reunite her family.

When I first heard of Patricia Polacco's books via a member of our group, I wasn't drawn to her art. It seemed harsh in comparison to others. Yet, I am revisiting her books in my library, and I am now more appreciative of her ability. I cannot draw a straight line with a ruler, thus I have no right to criticize the art of others.

As always, the artist brings a depth of spirit in the characters she writes and paints.

This book is the story of Fiona, whose poor family, like so many of those who lived in Ireland and escaped for a better life in America, is a tale of struggle, solid family values, and a spunkiness of her characters that I immediately like.

Increasingly, it was difficult to find work, work that would support a family. When it became near impossible, Fiona's father was able to find work in America with a family who needed assistance. The cost of the trip, via a large ship, was paid by the family who needed labor. In return for payment, there was no cash, only a slow, grueling ability to work off the cost.

When Fiona's family was tremendously struggling, she decided to fall back on the art taught by her great-great grandmother and passed along to the family. To assist financially, Fiona passed the time by stitching yard after yard of beautiful lace. Soon, the ladies of upper class were drawn to the beauty of the lace that could adorn their gowns.

The author hails from Russia and belongs to a long history of family storytellers. As the jacket notes, Polacco's family were teachers, farmers and hard-working people who knew how to survive under difficult circumstances. In this story, her family had no choice to leave Limerick, Ireland when the mill that supported so many was closed.

Fiona's mother was a lace maker. When she found her father, she placed bits of lace on nearby bushes and structures so that her suitor could locate her. Fast forward to life in America and a very destructive fire that dislocated the family. When Fiona and her sister Amish could not locate their parents, fearing they were killed in the fire, Fiona used the same method of location as her mother. She tied bits of her lace which led to where her parents could find their children.

Polacco is a very good story teller, and with this book, I am revisiting those I've read, and the many I have yet to discover. She has a loving way of painting and telling a story too important not to tell! ( )

A beautiful story about one girl and her family's journey to America, the struggles and hardships they face as they try to make a new life for themselves, and how family stories are able to connect and comfort people in more ways than one. ( )

This is a really well written book. I would recommend this book for a classroom read aloud. ( )

In this book Fiona and her family immigrate to the United States to work. While in the United States, a fire emerges and causes Fiona to get separated from her parents. In order for her parents to find her, she leaves them a trail of lace for them to find. I would recommend this book because there is an important theme of family and a perspective on immigration. This would be a good book for 3rd graders to read. ( )