The Star and the Shamrock Series: A New Beginning for the World

JLS: I really loved this series. Stories about WWII are abundant but this told from the point of view of children in the Kindertransport was heartbreaking and heartwarming. Everyone in the story had incredible personal growth and the lesson learned is exposure to different faiths only emphasizes the similarities that our religions have when we don’t dwell on the differences.

United States on Oct 09, 2023

Amazon Customer: The Star and Shamrock Series was the first I have heard of this author. Amazing doesn't cover how well written the stories were. Thank you Jean Grainger.

United States on Oct 03, 2023

Kindle Customer: The auth is able to make you feel the joys and sorrows of the characters. The story fits to get her and is difficult to put down. Enjoyed reading this sage and look forward to additional stories by Author Grainger

United States on Sep 06, 2023

E. Ann Brotherton: A lovely novel about the love and friendships among people of different faiths. Being very ecumenically inclined myself, even as an Episcopal priest, I found it heart warming and good. I have a sneaking suspicion that God doesn’t much care what we call ourselves as long as we love and care for one another to the best of our abilities.

United States on Aug 05, 2023

Elske de Visch Eybergen: Well with tears in my eyes, I say goodbye and God speed to the characters in this series. I enjoy the insights into faith and the camaraderie developed with the priest, rabbi and minister. Through the series, the growth of characters was well developed. As. a senior having worked with people and also watched their growth while staying in touch, I am amazed at their resilience to deal with what life deals us. The way it happens though as illustrated, is through our relationships with friends! Kindnesses does begat kindness. Thanks again Jean Grainger.

Canada on Aug 11, 2022

CH new kindle owner: This book was a perfect end to the family saga, a great read. Some difficult historical occurrences were explored and addressed with care. It could probably be read as a stand alone but, having read the previous books I think it is more enjoyable as part of a greater whole

United Kingdom on May 31, 2022

donna clarke: I loved all the Irish history of how people lived, their thoughts and how they reacted to others and to events. It’s the little things in life that are very important. Even in Ireland a priest, a rabbi and a pastor can get along well. It was the combined wisdom of the three that made for such a peaceful life where all the people rallied to help one another.

Canada on May 29, 2021

Mrs. L. M. Morse: This is one of Ms Grainger's loveliest books. Like all her books it takes you into Irish communities with characters so real you want to meet them. This series follows the lives of Jewish refugees who escaped the Nazi horrors in a small farm in Ireland, and grew up there after the war. The main hero for me is the Rabbi who stays on at the farm so that survivors can keep in touch with him, including one who grew up to be a vicious criminal but one the Rabbi nurtures, still, in the hope that he'll change. It's a time when, in the Magdalene Homes for Unmarried Mothers babies were sold and the mothers earned their keep in the laundries, and there was still religious intolerance. Three faith leaders - Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish are the best of friends, supporting one another with humour and real affection. Jean Grainger is very gifted and her books are a delight.

United Kingdom on Mar 10, 2021

Mrs. R. Nutland: I found this fourth episode by accident, as I thought there were only three. If you’ve not read the first three, I recommend you do. Although the back story is referred to throughout, but not in an annoying way.

Erich’s story continues with him as a 23 year old, finding love and there is conflict with the families as he is Jewish and Roisin is a catholic. He wonders what can be done and questions his faith and life in general.

The other characters in the series are providing more interesting facts about themselves, which makes this a good read.

It was a fabulous read, albeit a bit “ploddy” midway. I don’t do spoilers, but I was a little disappointed at the end.

I think the author needed to tell Erich’s story to have closure on the series, but felt it was a bit rushed?

United Kingdom on Feb 28, 2021

P. Blevins: The World Starts Anew: The Star and the Shamrock Series Book 4 is by Jean Grainger. This book is just as intense and emotional as the others in the series. Through this series, we readers have watched Liesl and Erich Bannon grow up in Ireland among strangers who took them in after they were brought to England by the Kindertransport. They were to stay with a cousin in London, Elizabeth; but after her home was bombed during the Blitz, she took them to Ireland where they stayed in her parents’ home. They became friends with the children at a nearby farm which had been set up for Jewish children who weren’t placed in homes. The entire group on the farm as well as the townspeople became good friends and acceptance was granted to all. After the war, Liesl and Erich’s mother came to Ireland to be reunited with the children. She and the lady who hid her during the war and the lady’s son also came to their town in Ireland. Rather than take the children away from their adoptive parents, their mother stayed and became part of the extended family. Now, Liesl and Erich are grown and are making lives of their own. As usual in people’s lives, real life is not without its struggles and...

United States on Jan 23, 2021