Lady of the Lines
How Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines by Sweeping the Desert
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Published by Astra Young Readers (2025-04-08)
When scientist and explorer Maria Reiche visited Peru’s Nazca Lines in 1941, she was immediately captivated by the larger-than-life animal carvings. But what were they, and why were they there? This STEAM nonfiction picture book for young readers reveals the story behind one of the greatest indigenous artworks in the Americas, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Maria Reiche wanted to put her curious mind to the test. When visiting Peru in 1941, she trekked across the land and discovered hidden lines covered in centuries of clay and sand. Fasciated, she picked up a broom from her tools and began sweeping for miles and miles to uncover more details, taking time to track her movement and sketch out the precise shapes she followed. Her first discovery was a spider-shaped carving spanning hundreds of feet of desert! Sweeping her way across the land, other shapes followed—a monkey, a condor, and a whale. But in the midst of these discoveries, she found out the land was going to be used for farming. She got to work again, this time demanding a press conference to announce her discoveries and stop the destruction of these ancient works of art—and it worked! Her efforts protected the land, which was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 thanks to Maria’s tireless efforts.
Author Michaela MacColl’s lyrical writing and extensive research showcase Maria’s triumphant tale, accompanied by art from Peruvian illustrator Elisa Chavarri, a past recipient of the Pura Belpré Honor.
Maria Reiche wanted to put her curious mind to the test. When visiting Peru in 1941, she trekked across the land and discovered hidden lines covered in centuries of clay and sand. Fasciated, she picked up a broom from her tools and began sweeping for miles and miles to uncover more details, taking time to track her movement and sketch out the precise shapes she followed. Her first discovery was a spider-shaped carving spanning hundreds of feet of desert! Sweeping her way across the land, other shapes followed—a monkey, a condor, and a whale. But in the midst of these discoveries, she found out the land was going to be used for farming. She got to work again, this time demanding a press conference to announce her discoveries and stop the destruction of these ancient works of art—and it worked! Her efforts protected the land, which was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 thanks to Maria’s tireless efforts.
Author Michaela MacColl’s lyrical writing and extensive research showcase Maria’s triumphant tale, accompanied by art from Peruvian illustrator Elisa Chavarri, a past recipient of the Pura Belpré Honor.
Book Details
Format:
eBook
Price:
15.99 CAD / 11.99 USD
Published: 2025-04-08
ISBN: 9781662620102
Imprint:
Astra Young Readers
Page Count: 48
Trim Size: 9 x 11
Grades:
Grades 2-5
Ages:
7-10 years
★ "A 100-foot-long spider, a 210-foot-long killer whale, a 325-foot-long hummingbird: these are among the more than 700 gargantuan geoglyphs (designs made by carving lines in the desert sand thousands of years ago), many of which were uncovered by a determined young woman wearing a pith helmet and wielding a broom in the 1940s Peruvian desert. This picture-book biography of German mathematician, archaeologist, and preservationist Maria Reiche emphasizes both the continuing mystery of who created these enormous sand etchings and the sheer grit of the woman who revealed them... the illustrations, done in acrylic gouache, use multicolored geometric shapes to highlight the geoglyphs, wonderfully capturing their variety and scale. Readers will be left in awe of the geoglyphs themselves and the persistence of the woman who discovered and protected them. A terrific STEM read." —Booklist, starred review
"Get readers ready to be introduced to their new favorite obsession through the compelling adventure of a woman who refused to leave any path uncrossed. MacColl does an extraordinary job of weaving the nonfiction information into a narrative format that draws readers in to learn more about the Nazca lines. The additional back matter offers excellent context to the story unfolded. Chavarri’s illustrations add a vibrancy that feels both realistic and whimsical. Aspiring archeologists and adventurers alike in all libraries will benefit from the inspiration Maria Reiche offers in being dedicated to new discoveries."—School Library Journal
"The engaging narrative is part process story and part biography... an inspiring portrait of scientific dedication."—Kirkus Reviews
