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The Moorchild
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
15 posts | 15 read | 8 to read
This enchanting Newbery Honor Book is a magical find (School Library Journal). Half moorfolk and half human, and unable to shape-shift or disappear at will, Moql threatens the safety of the Band. So the Folk banish her and send her to live among humans as a changeling. Named Saaski by the couple for whose real baby she was swapped, she grows up taunted and feared by the villagers for being different, and is comfortable only on the moor, playing strange music on her bagpipes. As Saaski grows up, memories from her forgotten past with the Folks slowly emerge. But so do emotions from her human side, and she begins to realize the terrible wrong the Folk have done to the humans she calls Da and Mumma. She is determined to restore their child to them, even if it means a dangerous return to the world that has already rejected her once.
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review
GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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Mehso-so

I hate to be the one to bring down the rating if this book, but oh well. This is a long review, and it still doesn‘t cover everything. I tried to be as brief as possible.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. The story itself is a great idea and well executed; however, the racism is rampant, as is sexism, christian-centrism and euro-centrism. There is also constant threat of abuse. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics Also, the solution to feeling different is to give the bullies what they want, the “other” going away. This is just not a good message for children. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
GingerAntics I can‘t see a child reading this book themselves. This really would have to be a read along or read to them. The diction is absolutely ridiculous and does nothing to further the story. This is a book for children. Afeard could just as easily be afraid. Leastways, at least (and those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head). 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
GingerAntics There is a sentence used to mean one thing, that means something very different. “You making game of me” means ‘are you hunting me,‘ but is used to mean ‘are you making fun of me?‘ This just doesn‘t sit well with me. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
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GingerAntics If you‘re going to read this with children, there need to be A LOT of discussions about the racist and sexist, narrow minded views. There needs to be discussions about the bullying with little to no consequences. There needs to be discussions about abuse. There needs to be discussions about the fact that being something other than christian does not make you devilish. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 (edited) 4y
GingerAntics Additionally, there need to be discussions about what it really means to be different, and the reality that running away isn‘t an option. In our modern school system that mirrors the prison system, that‘s called truancy. I‘m not sure what message this book really sends to kids that are different or what message it sends to kids that fit in. I would absolutely not let a child read this alone. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
GingerAntics I get that kids will like this story because it‘s very honest in how it addresses the realities of life and being different or “other,” but the values contained within are horrible. Parents, teachers, and other adults will have to take the time to make sure these horrible values are addressed. Adults needs to address this book very carefully with children. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
GingerAntics I‘m really glad I didn‘t read this book as a child. If I had uttered anything remotely like some of what is in this book, I would have been suspended from school, in confession for a month, and I‘d have been beaten within an inch of my life at home. If I had even imagined putting anything like some of these elements into my own writing, the same or worse would have happened. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 4y
GingerAntics As someone who grew up feeling very different (and still does), this didn‘t really make me feel any better about it because the solution in the book just makes the problem worse in the real world. I can‘t imagine how I would have taken that as a child, other than to wonder more if everyone would be happier if I just disappeared. That is not the message that should be sent to any child (or adult). #EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie still processing this book. The story was good - I couldn‘t stop reading it - but something about it just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe because I was a kid that considered running away to make the bullies happy or leave me alone. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I was too and read it as an adult as well. Kids like it because of it making them feel not alone I‘ve never had a kid read it on his own ... I do like the story too /so it‘s therapeutic for them maybe. They get a lot of people don‘t do or say that regarding race they refuse to admit it or see it here. Seeing it exist in a book means it‘s real 🤷🏽‍♀️ I‘ll ask one of my older students if he remembers ! 4y
11 likes10 comments
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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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McGraw is trying, now!!! The only thing unsettling about this book is the rampant racism and terrible diction. I don‘t know how much more of this I can take.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable

TheBookHippie “ The story is saturated with the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in the British Isles, with fascinating details of setting. Rich characters, well-paced action, and themes of belonging, societal prejudice against outsiders, empathy and self-sacrificial love, all bring a poignant depth to the storytelling. The one piece which does not stand up well to time is the denigrating stereotype of gypsies. “ That‘s the review I found it! 4y
Bookwomble The Westminster government in the UK is trying to bring in a policing bill which, as well as making protests which cause "significant annoyance" subject to a 10 year jail sentence (rape gets a 5 year sentence), will also make the lifestyle of gypsies, Romanies and travellers basically illegal. Prejudice and discrimination still a significant issue here. 4y
GingerAntics @Bookwomble wow, protesting so that it annoys people (sort of the point, to make people pay attention) is a greater crime than rape. Wow. Just wow. Never mind that “significant annoyance” is totally subjective and law based on someone‘s feelings is ridiculous. So basically, you‘re no longer going to live in a modern, free society. 4y
Bookwomble @GingerAntics There is resistance from sections of Parliament, organisations & at grass roots. My profession has 2 main membership bodies: the biggest says it will strike off those arrested in any protest, the other (of which, thankfully, I am a member) OKs peaceful protest & says it will support those so arrested. Really, there should be no issue about protesting in a democracy, but the last few years have been weird both on sides of the Atlantic 4y
GingerAntics @Bookwomble it sure has. Hopefully that doesn‘t become law at all. 4y
10 likes5 comments
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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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This is the description of Saaski, and all the moor folk, actually. This is the description of otherness, depicted as wrong in this book. How is this okay? I get that this book was written in 96, but surely this wasn‘t okay in 96. I get why this was never in my school‘s library.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable #racism #prejudice #bigotry

TheBookHippie It was- it‘s why they pulled it. However the story resonated with children who didn‘t feel they belonged anywhere so much we kept copies. I think the author got asked why the description I wish I could remember 😬 I didn‘t catch it until the 2000s 🤦🏽‍♀️also interesting hearing why the kids like the book it‘s very real to them. They keep it with them. (edited) 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie there better be some real redemption at the end, because right now, I get why my school didn‘t have this book. We weren‘t allowed to have modern books that depicted unchecked prejudice like this. Mark Twain was a teaching moment (as it should be), but this never would have flown. 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics it‘s interesting hearing kids discuss it -they absolutely love the read. It‘s a real not a fake story. I get the same reaction to books on bullies, they like Blubber-also banned- because it‘s real. No happy ending. I‘m not sure if it‘s because life is actually never ending issues and they want to read that, or they feel seen. Great discussion book. 4y
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GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I wouldn‘t give this to kids without it being a discussion book. The fact the parents allow the bullying and then blame Saaski for it, the rampant racial undertones... this has to be a discussion piece. This town, including her parents, best get its comeuppance at the end. I just don‘t see any other way for this story to be redeemed at this point. 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics One girl I mentored still has this book from 1998 ish? when we read it she says it makes her see it is. She liked the real, I don‘t ever read books without as a group so it‘s a different experience but this one has been a legendary favorite. They do however hate Tom Sawyer! 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I‘ll look for the crazy bully book we were supposed to read for curriculum -I‘d love your input- the kids were so mad they hated it. It was sugary sweet in my opinion in the ending. I think maybe this book is real to them. They don‘t feel alone. (edited) 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie Twain is REALLY slow paced. I constantly just want to tell him to get bloody well on with it already. 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I can‘t do Twain either we struggle through Huck Finn every year with massive Oreos 🤣✊🏼 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I grew up watching Tom and Huck, and other movies based on those two books. I was quite disappointed when I tried reading the books. 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics trust me hauling out the movies occurs to me every year🤣😬 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie sorry (not sorry) Twain, the movies are way better. I just got to the part where Saaski gets kicked and mobbed. At least she didn‘t get in trouble for getting hurt by other kids. 4y
TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I have an actual curriculum thing for the book -questions, food and discussion points I found in an old read it eat it Bookclub book!! I‘ll take pictures and post it! 4y
GingerAntics @TheBookHippie mine has discussion questions in the back. The food sounds interesting. 4y
8 likes13 comments
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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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Wow. No words. (Quite pleased my phone struggles with the word “gypsy.” I sure hope I‘m not teaching it that word by discussing this book.)
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #NotAcceptable

GingerAntics And gypsies are “all thieving rascals.” Sweet sanity. 4y
Exbrarian I'm often surprised at how many people don't know that Gypsy is a slur. I certainly didn't know in the 90's. 4y
GingerAntics @Exbrarian true, that word was common enough then. Maybe not really common, but no one batted an eyelash at it. 4y
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Exbrarian Oh, I had an actual problem with a large family of them coming to the record store I worked at specifically with the intent to steal. I caught them in the act on 3 occasions. We only had 3 employees and they would engage every employee while the rest of them stole. It was infuriating. They were never charged with anything, but I lost my job for fighting with them. I'm still not fond of that group, but I won't hold an entire people accountable. 4y
Exbrarian Additionally, there are several restaurants in the south that have Gypsy in the name. Few consider it a slur. 4y
GingerAntics @Exbrarian the south is interesting in regard to slurs. They love their confederate monuments. They lost, but apparently those are the only acceptable participation trophies. 4y
6 likes6 comments
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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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Oy! 🤦🏼‍♀️🥃 Seeing that he‘s not hunting you for food or sport, no he‘s NOT “making game” of you. Sweet sanity!!!
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild

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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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FOR THE LOVE!!! The sound bagpipes make when you fill the bag with air, before you start to play, has a name. It‘s called a drone. (The snare drummers play rolls to cover it up in pipe bands.) If it sounds like “coughing” either the pipes are broken (probably the bag actually) or Saasky is not a good player at all. 🤦🏼‍♀️ #WhereDidIPutTheLaphroaig #bagpipes #PipeBand #WeirdThingsIveDone #EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #TheBookHippieRecommends

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GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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I get that her life sucks and even her parents don‘t always like her, but having her mistreat another creature isn‘t right. You never lead cows of any age or size by the ear, you don‘t yank a head or neck anywhere unless you want a dead animal. I grew up around dairy farmers and I‘ve never seen a cow with chains around it‘s neck. This book is oddly shady.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #TheBookHippieRecommends

GingerAntics 🤦🏼‍♀️ McGraw clearly doesn‘t know how a stick is used in herding. For the love. (edited) 4y
Crinoline_Laphroaig I can't do anything that mistreats animals. 4y
GingerAntics @Crinoline_Laphroaig I wouldn‘t do this book than. Three goat get hit with a stick to get them moving (that‘s not how it‘s done, sorry) and this cow is manhandled. The way the MC is treated isn‘t much (if any) better. 4y
10 likes3 comments
blurb
GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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After reading part 1 I have some concerns about this book. I could see this as a really good conversation starter with kids about the language we use and unintended meanings, as well as a potential opening to talk about how even grown ups can do things that are wrong and opening the door for abused children to reach out. The story is quite compelling, so I‘m going to keep going and hoping that some (if not all) or this gets vindicated.

12 likes1 comment
blurb
GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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I finished the Agnes Browne trilogy early this morning and loved every minute of it. Now I‘m starting this lovely covered book because it‘s another @TheBookHippie recommendation. She clearly knows what she‘s talking about.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild #TheBookHippieRecommends

TheBookHippie I know you‘ll love it!!! 💚💚💚 4y
18 likes1 comment
blurb
GingerAntics
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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IT‘S HERE IT‘S HERE IT‘S HERE!!! I don‘t know if I should start this tonight or finish the Agnes Browne trilogy first.
#EloiseMcGraw #TheMoorchild

review
SkeletonKey
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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Pickpick

Wow. This book was a pure joy. I picked it up from the juvenile section of the library expecting a quick, fun read but had no idea it was so good! The language is complex and beautiful and the story was so well told.

I can picture this as a movie so easily that I‘m almost sad it doesn‘t exist. The picture it painted was that clear, lol.

#fantasy #changeling #jfic

TheBookHippie I love this book!!! It's a favorite ! 7y
SkeletonKey @TheBookHippie - It‘s definitely a new favorite for me! 7y
25 likes2 comments
blurb
SkeletonKey
The Moorchild | Eloise McGraw
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Your resident changeling here, reading up on faerie stories.

#jfic

PirateJenny Hello sister fairy child 7y
SkeletonKey @PirateJenny - I knew we had things in common 💜 7y
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review
juliek1
The Moorchild | Eloise Jarvis McGraw
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Pickpick

This Newberry award winning F novel was a favorite as a child. The story follows a girl named Saaski, who is half human and half moorfolk. She is banished from the Folk and sent to live with humans, for whom she grows to care for deeply. Upon realizing who she truly is, she is determined to get back to the Folk and rescue her adoptive parents real daughter. This is a great story for LC, SR, RA, and PR.

juliek1 Lesson Plan includes discussion questions and several activities: https://multcolib.org/moorchild 7y
juliek1 UDL‘s: 2.4 Promote understanding across all languages; the story is of English and Irish descent. Because of this, it contains some words, names, and objects many students would not be familiar with. This could be helpful in encouraging students to understand the difficulties their ELL peers might face with an entirely new language, and help ELL‘s feel less alone in that their native peers would also have some trouble understanding the terms. 7y
juliek1 EL strategy: 9. Teach note-taking strategies: T-lists, time lines etc.; have students create notes to hold onto throughout the reading. Make a T-list comparing humans to Moorpeople; create a timeline to track the progress of the main character; create bubble charts to connect characters to the things that are creating their story. #ucflae3413f17 7y
ashley.v This sounds like a cool book. What is the name of it? 7y
juliek1 @ashley.v The Moorchild. 7y
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