April 1863, height of the US Civil War
Twelve-year-old Danny O'Carolan arrives in New York City with nothing but his father' songs, his brothers' dancing steps, and his only remaining relative—his older sister, Kathleen. Driven from their home in Ireland, they must find work or they'll end up at the dreaded orphan's asylum. Except there's no steady work for boys besides joining the Union Army as a drummer. So Kathleen finds a job in domestic service for herself and her younger...sister.
Danny reluctantly pretends to be a girl to avoid the workhouse and the battlefield. But when he's not doing the backbreaking work of a housemaid, he sneaks off without his disguise. Roaming the streets of New York, he discovers how many different kinds of people live in its neighborhoods. Irish, German, and Italian immigrants, as well as free Black people. All poor. All competing for the same jobs. All softened, Danny finds, by a song and bit of footwork.
But the draft is on the horizon, threatening to force more Irishmen into the army. As tensions threaten to spill over into violence, how can Danny—the last bearer of the O'Carolan name—stay true to his family's legacy and find a safe place to call home?
"Last of the Name is a rich, brave, brawling novel of the immigrant experience, bringing the cacophony of Civil War-era New York City vividly to life. Painstakingly researched, this story of holding on to family and heritage while making a new home in America is told with poetry, humor, and heart."
—Susan Fletcher, author of Shadow Spinner, Walk Across the Sea, and Journey of the Pale Bear
"Civil War New York springs to life with danger, humor, and grit.You can feel the dance steps as a young immigrant's family traditions bring him strength and connection in a challenging new world. Historical fiction with a strong resonance today."
—Emily Whitman, author of The Turning
"With loving attention to detail, Rosanne Parry recreates Civil War-era New York City and the struggles of intrepid Irish immigrants. More than a survival story, Last of the Name is a celebration of the power of music and family to sustain us through hard times. Truly a grand adventure!"
—Deborah Hopkinson, author of How I Became a Spy: A Mystery of WWII London
