This guy is on fire. He writes a book a year and is in his third successful series of young adult fiction about ancient gods. This is the second series, focusing on Egyptian mythology (you probably got that from the title). It's a quick, fun, action-packed read, and I love that it's giving kids background knowledge about ancient cultures. The retention level of the details, though? Mine is pretty low so I imagine it will be hard for the kids to remember the different gods and myths.
Here's what I think it so great about these books: not only do they open up a new world for the kids (history is cool? no way) but they really validate kids as kids. You might not think that from the very adult adventures the characters have. I mean, as 12 and 14 year olds they battle monsters and race across the continents and oceans. But the kids (Sadie and Carter in this series, Percy in the others) are like many kids I know. They don't love school-type activities but are interested in learning about...well, what interests them. They talk about how easily distracted or openly rebellious they are and see it as a gift of the gods, heightened senses and ability to question what they see and all that. I mean, these attributes aren't cause for celebration in the classroom necessarily, but they are true of kids this age and something parents and teachers need to work with, not around. Makes me a little more compassionate on my ADHD students this year (if only one would stop saying "GAW!" every time I redirect him.)
Interestingly, I haven't heard ANY uproar about these books like the Harry Potter series. Is it out there, do you know? Because Harry Potter was just magic, and pretend magic at that, but these books are about magic and other gods. Are any parents or churches complaining that these books guide kids to other religions? I hope not. It's history, and it's fun.
Hmm...testing?
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