Lady of the Lines: How ­Maria Reiche Saved the Nazca Lines by Sweeping the Desert

Gr 3-6–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. Maria Reiche, German by birth, settled in Peru in 1932 and discovered a passion that would rule the rest of her life. The Nazca people in Peru left carved figures in the desert that were a mystery to all who had seen them. As Reiche studied the lines more, she dedicateed her time to uncovering as much of the carvings as possible to make sense of and catalog the details of her findings. She fought for the protection of these ancient wonders and they are eventually declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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.