The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin) [Paperback]

Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 6, 1986 | Age Range: 10 and up | Series: Newbery Library, Puffin

Ranofer struggles to thwart the plottings of his evil brother, Gebu, so he can become master goldsmith like their father in this exciting tale of ancient Egyptian mystery and intrigue.
Newbery Honor Book

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Puffin; Reprint edition (May 6, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140303359
• ISBN-13: 978-0140303353
• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 0.7 x 7.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (131 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Ancient Civilizations

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A painless way to learn about ancient Egypt! April 10, 2000

By Michelle Bowden

Format:Paperback

I started reading this book aloud to my daughter, and I couldn't put it down after the first few chapters. I had to read the whole book to find out what happened to Ranofer, and to find out how he could resolve his problems with his abusive half-brother and fulfill his dreams.

Reading this book really helped spark my interest in learning more about ancient Eygpt. The book is beautifully descriptive, and made me feel like I was there. It really helped me see the beauty in that culture. As I read other books about ancient Egypt, I realized I had already learned and retained quite a bit about it already just by reading this children's book! I think the author really researched her subject well.

I would highly recommend this book as an educational book, or just for fun. After the first few chapters, the story does become pretty exciting, and at the end I was left wanting more.

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Piece of Historical Fiction January 23, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a pretty good book. The story takes place during the rule Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy. It is about a young Egyptian orphan named Ranofer, the son of Thutra, a very talented goldsmith. When his father dies, Ranofer's cruel brother Gebu takes over and makes him work as a lowly laborer in a goldshop. When Ranofer finds out that Gebu is stealing gold from tombs, he and his friend Hequet set out to find answers. One night, Ranofer finds a goblet made of solid gold which bares the cartouche of pharaoh Thutmose The Conqueror. Ranofer tries to follow and stop Gebu. But little does he know that his mistakes might cost him his life.

The Golden Goblet is very exciting and compelling, but it doesn't really get interesting until you are well into the book. It also has vocabulary that may be beyond the comprehension of some readers, so you may want to keep a dictionary handy. If you don't read this in school, you should definitely read it on your own.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Overveiw for "The Golden Goblet" August 17, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

Ancient egypt is portayed in the most exiting of ways in this book, including all the details:

Positive elements:

Ranofer has a good head. he can usually decide what is best and takes advice (though not so readily) from those who are wiser and have more experience than him. though he has a bad attitude at first, by the third to fourth chapter it is made clear as to why this is so. with great ambitions, Ronofer is able to take advice to make himself ready to carry out those ambitions.

Violent content:

Ronofer's half brother is cruel to him, and beats him a few times. Ranofer is short-tempered when he meets another boy at the goldsmiths.

Spiritual content:

Ranofer, being an ancient Egyptian, beleives in and worships many gods. he beleives bone-chilling myths such as ghosts will carry away children who wander outside at night, that his father's spirit visits him, and that the dead king and queen are alive in their tomb. he prays to multiple gods, asking for the things he wishes to accomplish.

Conclusion:

What makes a book worthwhile? it is the ending. this story's ending is very fulfilling, leaving the reader as satisfied as can be, and ends with Ranofer looking forward to his dreams, now that he has removed all his barriers.