C. M. Surrisi

Synergy: Birka Viking Warrior

BIRKA VIKING WARRIOR was a 10th century professional woman soldier. First discovered in the 1870s, the bones were originally thought to be male. Recent DNA research confirmed that the skeleton was female. Artifacts in the grave indicate that the warrior woman was likely known for her battle strategy.

Read the recently published nonfiction book for young adults, then learn more at the websites:

THE BONES OF BIRKA by C.M. Surrisi traces the story of a 10th century Viking warrior women from her discovery in the 19th century to Dr. Charlotte Hedenstierna-Johnson’s recent DNA analysis. Of particular note is how the book challenges traditional gender roles in ancient societies and traditional research bias. ARC courtesy of Chicago Review Press.

An article in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY provides details of the research.

To read the article, go to http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1160189&dswid=9775

An article in SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE discusses the latest evidence that Birka was a woman Viking warrior.

To read the article, go to https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-reaffirm-famed-ancient-vik...

An article in LIVE SCIENCE also discusses the Viking warrior woman.

To read the article, go to https://www.livescience.com/64816-woman-viking-warrior-burial.html… (plus d'informations)

I liked this book as a writing model half because of the words and half because of the illustrations (which I guess still counts??). I loved that the book told us exactly what it wanted us to know, but then elaborated with the illustrations. In this particular story, the elaboration was mainly in the form of little memory bubbles and italicized texts when Maxine was speaking. This does wonders for putting you in the place of the character and really allowing you to feel how they feel and think alongside them. I flagged this one, I will definitely be saving this for the future to have in my classroom.. I'm also bringing it home this weekend to share with my Mom :)… (plus d'informations)

Maxine decides she wants a new mother - the kind who won't tell her to wash her face or wear her sunhat - in this sweet picture-book exploration of learning to appreciate what one has. Her "old" mother gamely agrees to help her in her search, but Maxine discovers to her surprise that all the mothers in the park are just as strict, if not more so, than her own. The mothers in the zoo, moreover, seem to have some of the same characteristics - grooming, shielding their young from the sun - that irked her so much. Is it possible that she already has the best mother of all...?

Naturally the answer to that is yes, something Maxine discovers for herself as she thinks of all the wonderful activities that she and her mother enjoy together. I appreciated the fact that Maxine's mother lets her explore the idea of having another mother, rather than getting upset or defensive. I would imagine that might be a challenge for many, but this "best mother" is definitely up to it. Pairing a heartwarming tale from first-time author C.M. Surrisi with adorable artwork from veteran illustrator Diane Goode, The Best Mother would make an excellent picture-book for Mother's Day, or any other time of the year.… (plus d'informations)