Between Two Worlds

Reviewed by: Kris Zuidema - Sebago, Sebago, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 13, 2015

Review

As a child, Billy Bah, an Inuit girl from Greenland was taken to Washington, DC to care for Robert and Josephine Peary's toddler for a year. Billy Bah later became the seamstress for the famous explorer and helped outfit his men for their polar expeditions. This historical novel is loosely based on Eqariusaq, who was called "Billy Bah"? by the Peary's young daughter. It was interesting to see the world from sixteen year old Billy Bah's point of view. The everyday life and culture of the Inuit are well described. Because there are several instances of Billy Bah being traded to other men by her Inuit husband this book is better suited for older readers. There is a list of characters and map in the beginning of the book which are very helpful. At the end the historical note and photographs add a great deal to the story. There is also a glossary of Inukton words and chronology of real life events. I recommend this well researched book.

Overall Book Score: very good