A powerful read about the Civil War. I felt like it really captured the immigrant experience for much of the 19th century. I recommended it to all of my class visits and my book committees

This is the type of story that makes me love Middle Grade books more and more. I wish as an entire genre that it received more credit for it's contributions to the reading world.

We are engaged into a brother/sister relationship in the mid 1800s. Yes, Middle Grade Historical Fiction makes it even better.

It had everything in this to make it one of the best.

I was trying to read this before it came out in print but I guess we long as it was read that's the best part! I love this style of writing of historical events wondering the story on this one you learn so much more and what not only the brother and sister had to over come but all in that period of time People unfortunately had to go through all these terrible times for us to be where we are today so we owe them all a great deal of gratitude. The characters are by none but wonderful of a sitter and brother and their closeness they didn't take anything for granted being from a family of Irish descent and how they helped to shape America! Very good read!! I will read more from this author!!💩💩💩

I like to read fictional history. This books offers a new perspective of how the Irish had to live in Ireland in the 1800's and in America in the same period.
The story presents the life of Danny and Kathleen. They have to struggle to survive in America, during the Civil War. They have to learn what is allowed in America and was not in Ireland and vice versa.
Even if they have a very hard life, they don't forget the good thing their parents thought them: to take care of others that are more unfortunate, to sing and dance, to work hard, to practice their faith where ever they are.
This book is full of deep lessons about life.
Danny and Kathleen meet a lot of human typologies: generous people, bitter people, sad people, wicked and arrogant people, religious people, kind people. What I love the most is that they try to be the best of what their parents thought them.
They honor their name and even if it is "last of the name", they make it live through their life, choices and story.

I am always on the hunt for good, diverse historical fiction that tells the story of times and events that are not a utterly common in YA fiction. Last of the Name checks all these boxes. A tale of 1863 New York City, the main characters (who are Irish) face discrimination right alongside many other populations, leading to divisive and explosive events. An author's note gives further historical detail.

“Always remember who ye are,” Granny says. “Descended of the great bards of old. Honord by princes near and far they were. Sought out for music and for counsel. Keepers of history. Writers of songs.”

I was excited to read Last of the Name, being of partial descent from Irish immigrants myself. It’s not a topic I’ve often seen covered for this age group, and I was thrilled to see it done so well.

Last of the Name is a middle-grade book about the arrival of Irish immigrants to the United States during the time of the Civil War. 12-year-old Danny has lost everyone dear to him except for his sister Kathleen, either to war, famine (by hunger or in attempts to steal enough food for their family to survive), or the crossing to America. He rebels at dressing as a girl to be a maid alongside Kathleen, but since it seems their only hope of staying together and surviving in the bitter, angry stew that was New York City in 1863, he goes along with his sister’s plan.

"Kathleen is the sort of believer who believes more the less evidence there is. She could be on her knees for days on end. I’m going to die of hunger while she prays to save me from a bountiful future…If only there was a patron saint of those afflicted by tyrannical sisters there’d be hope for me."
"
Despite his complaining, it’s clear Danny dearly loves his sister and will do anything for her. As the city grows more and more hateful, both towards free blacks and the Irish (coming to steal jobs, naturally), it becomes almost as dangerous for them as it was at home – except here, people appreciate Danny’s voice and his dancing feet, which maybe – just maybe – might be the key to their survival in New York City. But when the draft is initiated and the Irish immigrants of the city bear the brunt of it (so much for random!), the whole city looks to go up in flames.

I’m not going to lie, I teared up several times reading this story – and I’m not even sure why! It just felt so poignantly REAL. Danny was adorable and I loved Kathleen’s fire and backbone.

“You Irish,” says another [man], just as stern. “It’s your own out there doing the lynching and the burning. What do you have to fear from your own?”

“You fat old men!” Kathleen shrieks. “What do you know of fear, you with your broad shoulders and your full plates! We have to fear what every woman fears her whole life long. Ye heartless men! When have you ever been small or hungry? Would you send a German child out on the streets this night? Aren’t we Catholic like you? Don’t we sit side by side in church?”

As is historically accurate, Danny and Kathleen’s Catholic faith does play a part in the story – but never in a proselytizing way. The story really shows how much conflict was in the United States at this time, not only around color, but around religion, politics, even denominations. It’s rather disheartening to see that we’ve never really moved on, the names of the different factions have just changed. Despite all that, the story is one of beauty and hope and I’ll be adding it to my own library.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend, and it REALLY needs much more attention than it’s getting!

Review will be posted on Goodreads, and at the link below on 28 March 2019.

Danny and his sister, Kathleen arrive in New York City. They are the last of their family. It is 1863 and the Civil War is on. They have no money. Kathleen is wanting to keep Danny by her side so they take a job in a home as two maids. Most people are not fooled by Danny dressed as a girl. New York is very divided in whether to be fighting in this war or not. Danny is only interested in music. Kathleen is only interested in them staying together. You can see how this will work out for them.

Last of the Name is a story of Irish immigrants. I found the characters engaging and likeable. This book held my interest. It's a good read overall.

I love the premise of this novel, the protagonist is witty and punchy, honest and raw. All the things I love in a protagonist!
I did find the language used throughout the novel to be a little off-putting, slowing down my progression as I tried to grasp the meaning behind some of it, but I guess that is the point, that it is an immigrant family.
Still,. I did enjoy this book, would recommend!

Oh, my heart. This was such a masterfully wrought book.

The voice was perfect, easy to follow yet totally believable for a twelve-year old. The sensory details were phenomenal--the clutter and squalor and headiness of old New York. I appreciated how Rosanne Parry didn't pull any punches. Often, I find children's historical fiction is either too watered-down or hinges too much on grief, but Daniel's story is both tragic and ultimately hopeful. He's a fantastic hero; both naive and savvy. And I adored his relationship with his sister! I ached for them, flying through page after page.

So overall, I would absolutely recommend. I normally cringe at the idea of 'educational' books (I've got a 13 year old sister, I know how kids react to those), but LAST OF THE NAME hit so many nails on the head. It's an adventure, it's emotional, and it's vividly, vividly real. 5/5.

It is a great historical fiction about Irish immigrants, a touching story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this nice copy.

This book broke me out of a month-long reading slump. A necessary addition to the middle grade historical fiction shelf, Parry tells the story of Irish immigrants with heart and depth. Set in 1863 New York, she covers the lead-up and subsequent brutality of the Draft Riots with honesty and sensitivity - never straying from the child's point of view. Daniel and Kathleen's sibling relationship is touching and true - complete with loving gestures and not-so-loving big-sisterly corrections. Their hardships are believable and terrible - though not overwhelming - and through it all the hope of a better future carries both the characters and the readers through the difficult time period.