Book Description
for The Moorchild by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Saaksi doesn't know that she is a changeling child. She has no recollection of her life among the Folk, when her name was Moql and she was banished for being half-human. But from her cradle days onward, she is aware of her own discomfort in the world, and the discomfort of others around her. Saaksi's human parents, unaware their birth daughter was stolen as a baby, are somewhat uncertain as to why their child is so unusual, so difficult to understand, but they love her, though sometimes, Saaksi realizes, with heavy hearts. Only Old Bess, Saaksi's grandmother, has always suspected the truth, but as Saaksi grows Bess exchanges her suspicion and fear for love of this sensitive, resilient child. Saaksi is often a target for the taunts of village children, and, later, when sickness comes to the village, for the fears of their parents as well. It is then that Saaksi makes a choice that will change her life forever in a pointed, bittersweet but satisfying story about tolerance and finding one's place in the world, and in the hearts of others. (Ages 9-12)
CCBC Choices 1996. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 1996. Used with permission.