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

Summary

When scientist and explorer Maria Reiche visited Peru’s Nazca Lines in 1941, she was immediately captivatedby the larger-than-life animal carvings. But what were they, and why were they there? This STEAM nonfictionpicture book for young readers reveals the story behind one of the greatest indigenous artworks in the Americas,now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Maria Reiche wanted to put her curious mind to the test. When visitingPeru in 1941, she trekked across the land and discovered hidden lines covered in centuries of clay and sand.Fasciated, she picked up a broom from her tools and began sweeping for miles and miles to uncover moredetails, taking time to track her movement and sketch out the precise shapes she followed. Her first discoverywas a spider-shaped carving spanning hundreds of feet of desert! Sweeping her way across the land, othershapes followed—a monkey, a condor, and a whale. But in the midst of these discoveries, she found out the landwas going to be used for farming. She got to work again, this time demanding a press conference to announceher discoveries and stop the destruction of these ancient works of art—and it worked! Her efforts protected theland, which was later named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 thanks to Maria’s tireless efforts.AuthorMichaela MacColl’s lyrical writing and extensive research showcase Maria’s triumphant tale, accompanied byart from Peruvian illustrator Elisa Chavarri, a past recipient of the Pura Belpré Honor.