Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines

Both the story and illustrations are wonderful. One of the best books I've read this year.

The media could not be loaded.  While the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an iconic dedication to the 58,000 brave soldiers who lost their lives, not many people know about the artist behind the landmark visited by three million people annually. Her name is Maya Lin. And she was a college student when she anonymously entered the competition to design the memorial.I think Jeanne Walker Harvey has done a beautiful job capturing who Maya Lin was as a child, the influence her artistic parents had on her, and her vision for the memorial -- "a quiet place to remember all those who died during the war...a place to be experienced by walking down, then up past names that seemed to go on forever." The writing is elegant and simple. And there's a helpful Author's Note at the end, which provides additional details and a photograph of the Maya Lin holding a scale model of her design in 1981.The illustrations by Dow Phumiruk are gentle and gorgeous -- a perfect match to the words. I particularly love the pages that are framed with drawings of art supplies or cardboard buildings or pottery -- as if each moment of Maya Lin's life is a work of art itself.My 8-year-old daughter loves this book and takes it out regularly to read, re-read or just look at the pictures. I got one for her class library and the other students loved it as well. My daughter likes reading stories about people. But biographic chapter books without pictures can turn her off. This book is a great way to get her attention and spark her curiosity to learn more.Although it's a quick, uncomplicated read, you might want to be prepared for questions about what is the Vietnam War.

With the help of a bookish "friend" on Instagram, I found this little gem hidden among the overcrowded stacks of biographies. What makes this one so special is that we don't hear about many Asian people's remarkable lives, though surely there are too many to tell. My youngest son, not one to gravitate toward books (I know, I know...) saw it on my bed, picked it up, read it cover-to-cover, and then we talked about his recollection of when we went to the Vietnam Memorial in DC with his grandfather-himself, a Vietnam veteran. I look forward to sharing this with my students in the fall when we begin the year with our look at biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs!

Great book about a remarkable woman who deserves to be well known. I bought this for my Chinese-born 11 year old as inspiration for her school's annual "Living Time Line" event. She will go as Maya Lin this year. Although it is a picture book, it is NOT "too young" for a 6th grader. Yes, it's an easy read for her, but it is a sophisticated story that introduces the reader to Maya's cultural upbringing, the Vietnam War, and the work of an architect/designer.

Anyone would enjoy reading this especially interested in her work. Written for the young reader but also a good review of her works.

I'm a teacher who is always on the lookout for great stories that are still simple enough that my English Language Learners can still follow along. This book was great with my tutees and since we live near Washington D.C. it was a chance to tie in something they had seen already with an in-class lesson. I can't wait to use it with future students.

a nice mild story for older children, especially those who express an interest in building or architecture. (young ones are bored and keep pointing to the animal books)

This wonderful book is well-written, beautifully illustrated, and inspiring. The language matches the thoughtful, compassionate style of Maya Lin's masterpiece, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The illustrator adds little jewels on the margins of the pages that add depth to the story. This book shows that no dream is out of reach for the person who works hard and persists.