The Moorchild

March 30, 1998
A girl who is half-fairy and half-human must come to terms with her origins in this fantasy tale, a Newbery Honor book. "Transcending genre, these themes will likely resonate with a wide audience," said PW. Ages 9-12.

April 1, 1996
Incorporating some classic fantasy motifs and icons, McGraw (A Really Weird Summer) conjures up an appreciably familiar world that, as evidence of her storytelling power, still strikes an original chord. Elves, an invented vocabulary with Anglo-Nordic roots, medieval folk elements, herbalism, gypsies-all contribute to the atmosphere of mysticism and magic that suffuses the story of the changeling Saaski. The misbegotten offspring of a moorfolk (small, elf-like beings) and a human, Saaski is secretly switched with a human baby when the moorfolk discover she lacks certain powers. But she is not an ordinary mortal, either; her eyes, for example, change color with her mood, and, as she gets older, the local villagers view her as an outsider. Rather than a typical fantasy adventure, this is a saga of self-discovery as Saaski learns to cope with the pain, often physical, of not fitting in and as she learns her true heritage. Transcending genre, these themes will likely resonate with a wide audience. Ages 9-12.

raindrop07 - The Moorchild by Eloise Mcgraw is a captivating story of a girl, half human and half fairy-folk who is put into a family in place of their own daughter. This books tells of Saaski's journey and her adventures as she struggles to find who she is and live among the villages who taunt, tease and are scared of her beacause she is different. The only comfort Saaski finds is playing odd tunes on her bagpipes in the moor. As Saaski grows older, the past and memories of the flok start to drift back into her mind, like dandelion flyaways, and she begins to wonder about where she came from and who she really is... This is such an amazing story filled with friendship, magic, courage, mystery and enchantment. I loved reading it and definitely recommend it to others!