Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
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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!

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!

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/.