Books with author James Heneghan

Thirteen-year-old Charley Callaghan is coping with some difficult changes. His family has recently moved to Vancouver from Ireland, and his mother has died of cancer. Now he is desperately trying to fit in — in a new school, a new city, a new country — while holding a part-time job and keeping an eye on his little sister, Annie. Charley’s red hair and Irish accent at first make him a target of the class bullies, but he is tough enough — just — to keep them at bay. So it is almost a relief to him when the bullies find a new target, Benny Mason. Charley keeps hoping that Benny will defend himself, but he fails to intervene. When Benny commits suicide, Charley is overcome with remorse and guilt. He visits Benny’s single mom, Joanna, but instead of confessing, finds himself trying to make amends by doing chores, running errands, and befriending Benny’s little brother. Can Charley find atonement for failing to act? James Heneghan's trademark narrative drive, vivid characters, and strong social message make this a striking study of loss and renewal.

A world war II novel of 2 boys who survive the sinking of a ship evacuating them to Canada. Bleeker, the new boy at school, is tough and mean. Jamie Monaghan doesn't like having him for a neighbour, but the Liverpool Irish stick together and when the bombs start falling the Monaghans help the Bleekers out. The boys are angry and resentful when they are despatched to Canada on the liner City of Benares, but when the ship is torpedoed by a German U-Boat in mid-Atlantic and scores of children and adults disappear into the icy seas, they are united in the struggle to survive. Based on the true story of the sinking of the city of Benares, this gritty and thought provoking book is a terrifically exciting story of courage and the will to survive.

When a flood kills eleven-year-old Andy Flynn's mother and stepfather, the only world he has ever known is gone and he is alone. Aunt Mona, whom he has never met, takes him to live with her in Halifax, on the opposite side of the country. During the flight, Aunt Mona tells him harshly that his father was not a war hero killed in battle, as Andy's mother led him to believe, but a no-good thief and drunk who is very much alive in Halifax. Andy is stunned, and as soon as they reach their destination, he runs away from his aunt to find his father.James Heneghan's remarkable gift for storytelling shines as strongly as ever in this moving and funny tale.

SOMETHING IN THE BLACK PIT WAS CALLING AND REACHING OUT TO ME, PULLING ME...Tom stumbles into a pit in an excavated schoolyard and finds himself mysteriously transported back to rural Ireland in the grip of the potato famine of the 1840s. A foster child with no family in his 'real' life in 1970s Liverpool, in Ireland he finds himself taken in by a generous, though desperately poor, family whose eldest son is Tom's spitting image. Tom's intriguing life develops in parallel in both settings, creating an engrossing and affecting story for readers of 11+.

Is blood thicker than water?It rains nearly every day, until the rivers burst their banks: The first thing the slumbering Sheehogue knew was the deafening boom that tumbled them from their grassy bowers. This was followed by a flood of water and mud over the meadow that swept the Sheehogue rapidly along in nature’s unexpected waterslide. They saw homes of mortals tumbling into the creek. “Save their children!” the Old Ones ordered.Andy Flynn is one of those saved, but his mother and stepfather both die in the flood. Suddenly the only world Andy has ever known is gone and he is alone. Aunt Mona, whom he has never met, takes him to live with her in Halifax, on the opposite side of the country. During the trip, Aunt Mona reveals to him that his father is still alive – and living in Halifax. As soon as they reach their destination, Andy escapes to find his father. Although Vincent Flynn may not be the perfect father, Andy wants to stay with him rather than live with his harsh aunt. After all, Vincent is fun, and he has promised Andy he’ll find a real job so they can move to a nicer place than the seedy Mayo Rooms. But even with a bit of help from the Little People, Andy’s father can’t seem to keep his word. Filled with humor and mischief, James Heneghan’s latest novel tells the poignant story of a young boy’s search for a true home.