Grace’s Pictures is by Cindy Thomson. It is a story set in New York City with immigrants. It begins at Ellis Island and ends at Battery Park. It is the story of a young girl trying to figure out where she fits in the world and God’s place in her life. It is an interesting story that involves the Irish immigrants and how they were treated when they came to the US. The book helps you understand the corruption of police officers in New York City during the reign of Tammany Hall.Grace McCafferty grew up poor in Ireland. When she was ten, she and her mother were forced into a workhouse as they had no way to make ends meet after her father died. Grace had known only harsh words from her drunken father about how useless she was and how she could not survive without him. Grace’s mother married a constable and through his connections managed to get the necessary paperwork and sponsorship for Grace to go to America. She reluctantly left Ireland and her mother for the unknown. Upon arriving at Ellis Island, she had her picture taken by a photographer. This incident was to change her life. She stayed with Mrs. Hawkins and with the help of Reverend Clarke found employment in the house of Mr. Parker. She was to take care of the house; fix all meals; walk the girls to school; take care of Linden, the son, all day; take care of the very pregnant Mrs. Parker; and do whatever else they asked her to do. At first, she wondered if she would be able to do the job as the little ones were definitely not well behaved. However, she soon got them on her side and things were easier. Mrs. Parker was very hard to get along with but Grace endured her. Grace had an aversion for police officers in general and was upset with herself when she developed feelings for Officer Owen McNulty on whose beat she lived. He was attracted to her but had much to do with investigating a crime ring, keeping out of the web of Tammany Hall and dishonest cops; and trying to help his mother figure out what was going on with his father’s business when his father became ill. Grace became interested in photography after seeing the photo the man had taken at Ellis Island. She purchased one of the first Brownie cameras and practiced with it without film as instructed. Crime boss Goo Goo thought she had taken a photo of him and wanted her camera, film, and pictures. One of his goons, Smokey Davis, set out to intimidate her. Will things get better at the Parker house? Will anything develop between Grace and Owen? Will Owen straighten out his father’s business? Will the crime ring be broken? Will Grace get out of the path of the gangsters? Will she figure out what God has planned for her? Grace McCaffery passes through Ellis Island, a reluctant and frightened young woman from Ireland. She finds much more on the shores of New York than she dreamed of. Some of it good... and some of it not so good. But through it all, she finds what she needs most.An interesting look into the life of an Irish immigrant at the turn of the 20th century in New York. Cindy Thompson does a wonderful job of painting the scene with colorful characters and drag tenements.
What do You think about Grace's Pictures (2006)?
I loved the premise of this book and loved that it incorporated photography. I loved the characters.
—denden
Young Irish girl has lots to learn in America. Gets into too much trouble.
—bbbbbbb
