Reviewed By Dawn Baertlein
The New Policeman is a modern Irish folktale, blending Irish Music (there’s a playable tune at the end of every chapter), Irish mythology, and the rush of modern life into an intriguing fantasy/mystery.
J.J. Liddy is an expert fiddler at age 15, and all his life he and his family have hosted their small town’s ceilis, which are dance parties with live music. But people just don’t have time any more. It’s all anyone can do most days to get the necessary work done to make a living, and feed the family. Kids barely have time for school and the required extracurricular activities.
When J.J.’s mother makes a birthday wish for more time, J.J. promises to find it for her. But he never dreams there’s a supernatural reason for the way time is slipping away.
His quest leads him to Tír na n'Óg, the land of eternal youth, where time is supposed to stand still, but no longer does. Slowly time is inching away, and J.J. must figure out why.
Tied up in all this are the mystery of the newly arrived policeman, who can’t seem to quite remember things but plays a mean fiddle, and the rumors that J.J.’s great-grandfather killed a priest, something J.J. will not believe.
Some readers may feel that it takes a few too many pages for the magic to begin in The New Policeman. Still, even before J.J. finds his way into Tír na n'Óg to visit the fairies, the novel Irish setting make this a fascinating read. You can hear the Irish brogue as you read, and the glossary at the end comes in handy.
The explanation of where our lost socks go is just an added benefit. It seems there are leaks between our world and the land of the fairies, often right behind our clothes dryers. Our stray socks spew into Tír na n'Óg from time to time. This is also why the fairies tend to wear unmatched socks.
The New Policeman is recommended for grades 7-10, and is the winner of several British awards.
Happy reading!
The New Policeman is a modern Irish folktale, blending Irish Music (there’s a playable tune at the end of every chapter), Irish mythology, and the rush of modern life into an intriguing fantasy/mystery.
J.J. Liddy is an expert fiddler at age 15, and all his life he and his family have hosted their small town’s ceilis, which are dance parties with live music. But people just don’t have time any more. It’s all anyone can do most days to get the necessary work done to make a living, and feed the family. Kids barely have time for school and the required extracurricular activities.
When J.J.’s mother makes a birthday wish for more time, J.J. promises to find it for her. But he never dreams there’s a supernatural reason for the way time is slipping away.
His quest leads him to Tír na n'Óg, the land of eternal youth, where time is supposed to stand still, but no longer does. Slowly time is inching away, and J.J. must figure out why.
Tied up in all this are the mystery of the newly arrived policeman, who can’t seem to quite remember things but plays a mean fiddle, and the rumors that J.J.’s great-grandfather killed a priest, something J.J. will not believe.
Some readers may feel that it takes a few too many pages for the magic to begin in The New Policeman. Still, even before J.J. finds his way into Tír na n'Óg to visit the fairies, the novel Irish setting make this a fascinating read. You can hear the Irish brogue as you read, and the glossary at the end comes in handy.
The explanation of where our lost socks go is just an added benefit. It seems there are leaks between our world and the land of the fairies, often right behind our clothes dryers. Our stray socks spew into Tír na n'Óg from time to time. This is also why the fairies tend to wear unmatched socks.
The New Policeman is recommended for grades 7-10, and is the winner of several British awards.
Happy reading!
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