All the Walls of Belfast by Sarah Carlson

“Fiona and Danny were born in the same hospital. Fiona’s mom fled with her to the United States when she was two, but, fourteen years after the Troubles ended, a forty-foot-tall peace wall still separates her dad’s Catholic neighborhood from Danny’s Protestant neighborhood.

After chance brings Fiona and Danny together, their love of the band Fading Stars, big dreams, and desire to run away from their families unites them. Danny and Fiona must help one another overcome the burden of their parents’ pasts. But one ugly truth might shatter what they have…” (Goodreads.com)

There are so many parts of this book that I enjoyed that it’s hard to pick just one. It deals with displacement and not knowing where you truly belong. It deals with family and political issues. It deals with pride and first love. You could read this text and compare it to our own issues here in the United States. Carlson’s writing made it feel like you were watching a movie. You can see the characters and their surroundings. You can feel their emotions and their urgency. It was a whirlwind. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a must read.

I recommend this book if you like personal present day reflections on societies (specifically Ireland), romance, and stories of overcoming family issues.

Meghan McCabe

Children & Youth Services Librarian

Available at the Langley Adams Library