The New Policeman

J.J. Liddy, like his mother, grandfather, and ancestors before him, is a musical prodigy in the small Irish town of Kinvara. But there never seems to be enough time to do anything these days, and when his mother asks for “time” for her birthday, J.J. is determined to find some for her. His journey leads him to Tir na n'Og, where the fairies live. He finds that somehow, time from our world is leaking into their timeless realm, which is causing a catastrophic imbalance. The story has a very nostalgic feel to it, celebrating the bonds of family, culture, and music in an adventure that spans generations. While many parts of the novel feel slow moving, I didn't mind–perhaps it simply resonated with my own small-town upbringing. This is a book that will satisfy music lovers, Irish folktale enthusiasts, and just about anyone who has strong multi-generational family ties.

J.J. is worried. Nothing is getting done. Time seems to be slipping away.

And then he learns that time is slipping away. Literally. Time is leaking away.

J.J. finds out how to slip into another Ireland, the Ireland of the fairies and other folk creatures. The beings in this other Ireland are concerned, too, and this is not normal for them; this other Ireland is a place where time stands still, but now there is a leak and time is coming into this happy place, and it is not so happy.

I loved all the gentle humor in this story, especially the idea that all the music in the world has really slipped in from this other fairy world. And I liked how each chapter ended with a song. I would love to be able to hear the music as I read along. Perhaps the audio does that.

One of the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.