Ballywhinney Girl by Eve Bunting

Ballywhinney Girl

by Eve Bunting

Maeve is unnerved when she and her grandfather find a body in the bog in Ballywhinney, Ireland. It turns out to be the body of a young girl who lived more than a thousand years ago. A girl like Maeve, with fair hair, who walked the same fields and picked the same flowers. When archaeologists display the mummy at a museum, Maeve wonders: Does the girl mind being displayed in a glass case for all to see? Or does she miss the green meadow where she had lain for so many hundreds of years?

Reviewed by cherryblossommj on

4 of 5 stars

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note to self... add shelf Ireland, Archaeology, Mummies, History

What a delight I found in reading this unexpected book today. While I would not have thought of such a way to introduce mummies to a young child, this is an elegant way. A reader is given not only a valuable lesson on archaeology in real life, but also to vocabulary and some culture of an Irish land and bog.

I could easily see this one come of the shelf for interest as well as extra story reinforcement in various classes. This one definitely has value in a school shelf.

Early in life, before one's vocabulary is highly defined pictures and images are the entry way to learning and the soul. There are fun and fluffy things in life, but there are also hard things that can be difficult for a child to understand. Being able to introduce my girls to the idea of girl's past life long gone in such a beautiful way filled with images full of emotion and feelings is precious to me. I'm very glad that I found this one and it is a keeper and one to spread the word about. I'm quite curious what else I might find in a similar sense from these two picture-book author/artist team.

Typed on NookColor.
Thanks to HMH for providing a copy for review.

Look for post to come in March 2012.
Originally posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-333

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 12 January, 2012: Finished reading
  • 12 January, 2012: Reviewed