The New Policeman

by Kate Thompson

Book Overview

Who knows where the time goes? There never seems to be enough time in Kinvara, or anywhere else in Ireland for that matter. When J.J.'s mother says time's what she really wants for her birthday, J.J. decides to find her some. He's set himself up for an impossible task . . . until a neighbor reveals a secret. There's a place where time stands still--at least, it's supposed to. J.J. can make the journey there, but he'll have to vanish from his own life...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061174297
• ISBN13: 9780061174292
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Its enchanting traditions and customs, and the heart of the Irish people.

J.J. Liddy has lived his entire life in the Irish village of Kinvara. In fact, he lives in the same house that his mother and grandmother, and her ancestors, have lived in for generations. And each generation has something else in common as well --- music. Music has always been important to the Liddys. Every month they host a dance at their home, where musicians weave amazing traditional Irish tunes. J.J. is no exception; he plays the fiddle and the flute so well that his room is stacked with ribbons and awards for his talents. Besides music, J.J. keeps busy with school, friends, farm chores and sports (such as hurling). It seems as if there's never enough time to get things done, and he's not the only one who thinks so. Everyone in the village struggles to fulfill their responsibilities, yet many still end up running late and oftentimes their tasks are left uncompleted. No one has time to stroll down the lane or daydream with the passing clouds. When asked what she wants for her birthday, J.J.'s mother announces she would like more time, so J.J. promises to find it for her. Hearing about J.J.'s quest, a neighbor suggests he look in the hidden underground chambers that are scattered beneath the old fort ruins. J.J. stumbles through an entrance to Tir na n'Og, the world of the fairies. Their amazing world looks very similar to J.J.'s, yet everything is brighter, easier and more relaxed. That's because the fairies live in a world without time. No one grows older and the sun never sets. At least, it used to be that way. Recently, their sun has been slowly shifting west, the seconds quietly fading away. Somehow, somewhere, time was leaking from the human world into the fairy world, leading to disaster for both. J.J., along with the help of his new fairy friend, sets out to find and fix the mysterious leak before both worlds end in catastrophe. But back in the human world, J.J.'s family has reported him missing. The entire village pitches in to help the police look for him, but weeks pass with no sign. A new fellow on the police force, arriving just before the commotion breaks out, is helping with the investigation. He doesn't seem to be a very competent officer, but he knows he's there for a specific reason. If only he could remember what it is. In Tir na n'Og, J.J. rushes to save time and, in the process, may even help solve an old mystery and clear his grandfather's name of murder. THE NEW POLICEMAN is a wonderful story filled with fairies, folklore and fiddles. Author Kate Thompson plays the fiddle herself, and her obvious love of music weaves into her tale, creating its soul. Another refreshing aspect of this endearing book is its peek into Ireland's history, a whisper of its enchanting traditions and customs, and the heart of the Irish people. --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

Music, Family, and Time

Kate Thompson's "The New Policeman" begins with family secrets. Protagonist JJ Liddy's family history is missing a few chapters. Born to a musical family in Kinvara, Ireland, JJ one day discovers the town rumor about his family--that his grandfather killed a priest. Moreover, his last name, Liddy, is his mother's name. And, his mother's father disappeared before she was born. But most of Kinvara ignores the rumors because the Liddy family has a gift--the gift of music. They all play instruments and host céilí ("a dance") at their farm. Still, rumors about his family's past trouble young JJ. JJ isn't the only one with problems in Kinvara, however. There's a new policeman on the beat and he's not very good at his job: "Larry O'Dwyer sighed and took a step towards the narrow double doors. He'd had a good reason for becoming a policeman but sometimes it was difficult to remember what it was. It wasn't this; he was sure of that much. He hadn't become a policeman to curtail the enjoyment of musicians and their audiences. A few miles away, in Galway city, violent crime was escalating dramatically. Street gangs were engaged in all kinds of thuggery and muggery. He would be of far more use to society there. But that, as far as he could remember, was not why he had become a policeman either. There were times, like now, when he suspected the reason, whatever it was, might not have been a particularly good one." And, the town is suffering from a lack of time. Time is draining away. When JJ's mother says that all she wants for her birthday is more time, JJ sets about trying to find it for her. A local publisher named Anne Korff helps JJ find more time for his mother. I'm not going to give away any secrets, but Korff's help involves a souterrain, another world, and multiple disappearances from Kinvara. (There's a wonderful anecdote, by the way, about Anne Korff in a short foreword to "The New Policeman.") "The New Policeman" is a beautifully written novel. Each chapter begins with a song, notes included for the musically inclined. It's fast-paced, funny, and thought-provoking--easily one of my favorite novels of the year. "The New Policeman" was the winner of the 2005 Whitbread Children's Book Award and of the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

Just a great book ...

I've just finished reading Kate Thompson's `The New Policeman' and it is wonderful. Wonder -full. I'm Irish born and bred and raised on the old stories, and here, in the Ireland of 2005, the `draíocht' (magic) is alive and well in this book. The characters and language are keenly observed -- as we say `dead on'. I know these people and these voices. And anyone who has spent any time in Ireland will recognize these places too -- particularly the places where one can't help but feel that there's another place right behind what you are seeing. I'm totally at a loss to understand the review below (HoraceHorse). Its seems to posit that since Kate Thompson is `guilty' of being English (which we don't consider to be a crime in Ireland), this book must somehow be a lame rip-off. And the reviewer lives in ... Texas? Actually, from his opening words he's obviously axe-grinding rather than reviewing. And that's unfair -- agus míbhéasach. This is an intelligent, soulful book. It deserves the kudos it has gotten and I will recommend it to all -- as I do to you.

A brilliant novel for young adult readers

Although having a good background in Irish folklore would help, this book is written with the naive young reader in mind. Each chapter ends with a (playable) tune from which it takes its name. The story revolves around a teenage boy whose family history includes a dark secret that is revealed in the ending of the story. He goes off to Tir na nOg to stop the "leaking" of time from his world into the otherworld and, in so doing, finds out more than he perhaps wanted to know about the faerie folk and his own ancestry. A wonderful book to read aloud, and a fine story with or without the Celtic folktale background. My fifth and sixth graders loved it.

The New Policeman

A delightful book. Set in Ireland, and steeped in folk-lore and love of Irish music. But a simple story that top primary children upwards would love. Time appears to be running out - there is never enough of it. JJ, the main character, finds a way through a soutterrain into the land of Tir Na Nog. There, the fairies have noticed that time is starting to pass (it shouldn't) and this may lead to the destruction of their world. But they are so laid back they don't get round to doing anything. It takes JJ, who comes from a family with a history, to sort out both their world and his. This book has won lots of prizes and is highly recommended.