Mary Geddy's Day: Colonial Girl in Williamsburg, A [Paperback]

Kate Waters (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Mary Geddy's Day

The charming, accessible, and educational story of a young girl in Colonial Williamsburg, just before the American Revolution. Filled with color photos and based on real people.

It is May 15, 1776, and even young Mary Geddy can sense the excitement in the air. Today, the colony of Virginia will cast their votes for independence from Britain. Mary tries to concentrate on her chores, but all she can think about is the outcome of the vote. If the vote is for independence, her best friend will move to England and Father might go to war! Photographed in Colonial Williamsburg, this book vividly depicts life in pre-revolutionary times. Although Mary lived over two hundred years ago, every child will relate to her story of friendship and freedom.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 Waters sets her fictional story on May 15, 1776, when the Virginia colonists in Williamsburg will cast their vote either for or against independence from Great Britain. During the day, 10-year-old Mary Geddy concentrates on her chores, knowing that if the outcome of the vote is for independence her father will go to war as a patriot while her friend Anne's family, loyal to the king, will be moving back to England. Clear, crisp, colorful photographs of characters in traditional clothing taken in Williamsburg lend authenticity to the story. The author provides readers with information on Colonial life complete with colloquialisms ("William is not worth a button") as well as a story they can relate to the possibility of a best friend moving away. Readers who enjoyed Waters's Sarah Morton's Day (1989) and Samuel Eaton's Day (1993, both Scholastic) will want to read this one as well. Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590929283
• ISBN-13: 978-0590929288
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,333,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Waters/Kendall success!, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Colonial Girl In Williamsburg (Mary Geddy's Day) (Hardcover)

With this book, the team of Kate Waters and Russ Kendall bring the reader into the living history of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, much as they did with their fascinating and delightful quartet of books set in Plimoth Plantation, Massachusetts. "Mary Geddy's Day" serves up the history of July 4, 1776 through the eyes of a child who actually lived it. With the formal yet engaging language of the past, and the vibrant photographs (costumed interpreters in Williamsburg) young readers are drawn into the history of Colonial America.

This is a great book to introduce the subject matter. I have already used this book extensively with third graders at the elementary school where I teach, and the students are delighted and full of questions when we are done. Bravo!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How would you choose?, October 8, 2007

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mary Geddy's Day: Colonial Girl in Williamsburg, A (Paperback)

Mary Geddy's Day easily explains the complexity of political decisions and the impact those decisions had on the lives of everyone -- even those too young or simply not allowed to choose.

The vote for independence in Williamsburg, Virginia on May 15, 1776 and the exciting story behind it is lavishly illustrated with colorful photographs of costumed historical interpreters. The sights and sounds of Mary Geddy's world are fascinatingly brought to life, making the story of that day's decision accessable to children on a personal level.

Opportunities for further enrichment include directions to make "sweet bags for linen" and the same apple pie that Mary made for her family.

Additional historical information about slavery, Native Americans, 18th century girlhood, and the prelude to independence bring this volume to life.

Most highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Colonial winner!, January 6, 2012

By 

C. Anderson (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Colonial Girl In Williamsburg (Mary Geddy's Day) (Hardcover)

I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my 5-year-old granddaughter as a reminder of her many visits to Colonial Williamsburg this past year. I thought that the actual photographs depicting a young girl in colonial life would be educational as well as reminiscent. I was delighted that, although the story was fictionalized, the main character of the story was an actual historical person. The Geddy foundry and the silversmith shop are popular historical sites in Colonial Williamsburg. The book highlights the issues of colonial patriotism and loyalism from the perspective of a child (losing a friend whose parents are loyal to the King), but also represents the "adult" reasons for declaring independence from England. The photos depict daily life, including the role of slaves in the homes of "middling" families in the colonial capital of Virginia. As pleased as I was with the book, I was concerned that my granddaughter wouldn't find it interesting. However, my concerns turned out to be unfounded, as it is a book that she has chosen to read over and over again. She and her 7-year-old sister also love going to the CW games and activities for kids on the website: www.history.org/kids/.