Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt [Hardcover]

Jennifer Richard Jacobson (Author), Abby Carter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Andy Shane

Pushy Dolores really wants Andy to do a school project together — but sometimes you need to take your time to make the right choice.

The school Culture Fair is coming up, and Andy Shane has to pick an African country to learn about. Deciding isn’t easy for Andy, so he’s glad when Granny Webb gives him a scarab beetle, which he knows is a symbol of Egypt. But when Andy tries to tell Ms. Janice, Dolores Starbuckle springs up with her gold jewelry and glitter sandals and claims that she is the queen of Egypt. Dolores always gets her way — but this time Andy doesn’t feel like caving in. What will it take for him to share his project with the bossy queen? Fans of the endearing Andy Shane will be happy to see him holding his own in his new early-chapter-book adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Quiet, reflective Andy Shane continues his determination to stand up to his boisterous, exuberant friend Dolores. As he heads to school, Granny Webb gives him a scarab necklace for his African-country assignment. When he announces that he has chosen Egypt, Dolores, wearing elaborate, self-made Egyptian accessories, proclaims herself "Queen of Egypt" and tells Andy that he can't have it. She builds a pyramid out of pineapple chunks despite his preference for pineapple on his pizza, and, at T-ball, she distracts him and the entire outfield with an Egyptian dance in the stands, causing him to miss a catch and lose the game. The next day, Dolores shows her support during class presentations and they agree to be partners on their assignment. Andy's sensitivity and personal growth are deftly and humorously conveyed in Jacobson's text. Readers new to the series may wonder about Andy's relationship to Granny Webb, but that does not diminish this engaging and satisfying entry that can stand alone. Carter's pencil and black watercolor wash illustrations depict a cast of expressive Caucasian characters, and while the gray tones are somber, they perfectly reflect Andy's contemplative nature.—Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI
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From Booklist

On the day when Andy’s classmates are to choose African countries for their projects, Dolores arrives dressed as an ancient Egyptian queen, expecting to sign up for her country of choice. Andy snags Egypt instead and must decide whether to work with Dolores. He vacillates believably, weighing her annoying attributes against her less apparent good traits. Andy, who lives with his grandmother, makes a sympathetic figure as he deals with this dilemma. Sensitively written and expressively illustrated in pencil with black watercolor wash, this is the third volume in the enjoyable Andy Shane series for beginning readers Grades K-2. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (April 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763632112
• ISBN-13: 978-0763632113
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,296,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Bossy Dolores Starbuckle absolutely insists she's going to work on the Egyptian project with Andy!, May 31, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt (Hardcover)

Everyone in Ms. Janice's class had to choose an African country to report on for the school cultural fair. Andy Shane's Granny Webb had just given him a scarab beetle that very morning and so when he was called upon he gently touched his pocket and said "Egypt." Well, Dolores Starbuckle, the pain in the neck, had a fit. She jumped out of her chair and yelled "I am the QUEEN of Egypt." She was going to bug him until he either let her take Egypt by herself or even better, work together!

When she was at Granny Webb's with him, she asked to help serve the pineapple pizza. When she handed Andy his plate, the pineapple was arranged in a pyramid and she claimed, "if we work together on the project, I can make lots and lots of pineapple pyramids. We'll be a huge hit!" Yeah, and she was a huge pain even though they were friends. The next day at T-ball practice there she was again. She was still wearing her Egyptian clothes and dancing in the bleachers to "Walk Like and Egyptian." He was so busy watching her he missed an important catch and the other team won the game. What was Andy going to do? Would he relent and let her work with him or would she pester him for the rest of his life?

This amusing story illustrates the point that children will have trouble with one another at times, including those who are close friends. It gently brings the two friends back together in a sudden unexpected heartwarming resolution. The only thing that disappointed me in this book was the fact that the inside illustrations were done in a shaded black and white, but that is a minor issue. Sometimes friends can be very different, but can be very special to each other, can't they?