Where the Heart Should Be

Ages 13 And Up, Grades 8 And Up

In 1847, everything in Ireland was falling apart—but sixteen-year-old Nell was falling in love. Carnegie Medal winner Sarah Crossan’s first historical novel-in-verse is a suspenseful and heartbreaking story of love, family, and the forces that can destroy us or bind us forever. For fans of Joy McCullough, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Ruta Sepetys.

“I hold my breath while reading Sarah Crossan’s books. Every word is filled with so much love, the book is practically throbbing. A beautiful, perfect, moving read.” —Cecelia Ahern, bestselling author of P. S. I Love YouIt is 1846, Ireland is starving, and a poor Irish scullery maid falls in love with the British heir to the land. Can their romance stay hidden during the devastating famine? The potatoes are black, people are dying, and in the midst of it all, Nell must do everything she can to keep her family together and everyone she loves alive.It is hard to tell a love storyand also the story of a peoplebeing torn apart.With her first historical novel-in-verse, Carnegie Medal–winning author Sarah Crossan has crafted a sweeping love story but also a family story, a class story, and the story of a particular moment in history that had a lasting impact on both Ireland and the United States. Nell’s story is suspenseful, heartbreaking, and utterly compelling, and will appeal to fans of Malinda Lo, Kip Wilson, and Ruta Sepetys.

About the Author

Sarah Crossan is the author of One, which won the Carnegie Medal and the Bookseller's prize for young adult fiction and was named the Irish Children's Book of the Year. It was also named to the White Ravens list, was an Indie Next selection, and earned four starred reviews in the US. In 2018, Sarah Crossan was named Irish Children’s Laureate. Two other novels, The Weight of Water and Apple and Rain, were also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Sarah Crossan has lived in Dublin, London, and New York, and now lives in Sussex. She graduated with a degree in philosophy and literature before training as an English and drama teacher at Cambridge University. Since completing a master's in creative writing, she has been working to promote creative writing in schools.