Graphic novel adaptation of the classic wartime novel

When Hetty Golden’s family move to Martin Street near Portobello bridge in Dublin, they’re not sure of their welcome. And next door, Ben Byrne’s family are not sure about their new Jewish neighbours: it’s the Emergency and they are suspicious of strangers.

To repay a debt, Ben agrees to do odd jobs for the Goldens, keeping it a secret from his family. But there’s a bigger secret: Renata, a refugee from Nazi Germany, is on the run in the city, and Hetty is determined to rescue her.

Can Hetty and Ben overcome their differences and save Renata, or are they just meddling in things they know too little about?

simple, powerful story of heroism

the story’s message of human kindness overcoming difference is more relevant now than ever

Adapted to graphic novel format, this book brings 1940s Dublin to life, exploring themes of racism, war, censorship and poverty. Marking the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II, this is a timely reminder of the importance of embracing cultural differences when the world so badly needs friendship and acceptance.

ALAN NOLAN was awarded the 2024 Children’s Books Ireland Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books. Alan grew up in Windy Arbour, Dublin and now lives in Bray, Co. Wicklow with his wife and three children. Alan is the author of the Molly Malone and Bram Stoker series. He is also the author and illustrator of Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series, and is the illustrator of Animal Crackers: Fantastic Facts About Your Favourite Animals, written by Sarah Webb. Alan runs illustration and writing workshops for children, and you may see him lugging his drawing board and pencils around your school or local library. www.alannolan.ie Bluesky: @alnolan Instagram: @alannolan_author JASON BROWNE is an illustrator at Buttonpress Publications, whose flagship title The Wren is Ireland’s longest-running small press comic book. In a rare moment when Jason isn’t working on The Wren or Buttonpress’s other books in the series – Artos, Thimble and Stoat – he contributes to projects at Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. He lives in Dublin. JASON BROWNE is an illustrator at Buttonpress Publications, whose flagship title The Wren is Ireland’s longest-running small press comic book. In a rare moment when Jason isn’t working on The Wren or Buttonpress’s other books in the series – Artos, Thimble and Stoat – he contributes to projects at Image Comics and Dark Horse Comics. He lives in Dublin. PAUL CARROLL is a writer, comic creator, workshop facilitator and podcaster from Dublin. He has been a recipient of the Agility Award and the Literature Project Award from the Arts Council, and took part in the Evolution Programme with the Irish Writers Centre in 2023. He is a founding member of Limit Break Comics and IrishComics.ie, and has worked within Irish fandom as part of Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention since 2021. Marilyn Taylor was born and educated in England, and has an economics degree from London University. She was a school librarian in a Dublin secondary school for 16 years and a college librarian. Her first novels for young adults were the Jackie and Kev trilogy, Could This Be Love, I Wondered? (1994),  Could I Love a Stranger? and Call Yourself a Friend?. Faraway Home was a new departure for Marilyn, having a strong historical basis and being set in Northern Ireland during the Second World War. It won the prestigious Bisto Book of the Year Award and was followed by 17 Martin Street, set in Dublin during The Emergency (as the Second World War was knows in Ireland). Both have been hugely popular with schools throughout Ireland and beyond.