The Secret Of The Sacred Scarab [Paperback]

Fiona Ingram (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2008

A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out!

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the kind of adventure book boys and girls love! The fast-paced action, the evil villain readers delight in hating, the secrets of the past, and the mysterious ancient setting make this novel a sure-hit favorite for all the young and adventurous at heart. Ingram's impeccable and fascinating research into Egyptian history illuminates the adventure and makes the secrets of Egypt's past as thrilling to the reader as the boys' dangerous encounters.
·         Book Award Nominations & Wins:
·         Finalist Children's Fiction  USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
·         Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
·         Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers' Favorites Awards
·         Number 2 in the USA Children's & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
·         Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
·         Finalist Children's Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
·         Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
·         Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
·         Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children's Literary Classics Awards
·         2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ingram has crafted a fascinating story of adventure. Ancient Egypt is a topic that captivates most young adults, and Ingram incorporates information about Egypt's modern culture, as well as ancient legend. --Whitney Hallberg, Foreword Literary Review Magazine

This is entertainment for readers up to age 14 and for those who wish they were 14 again. It is at once adventure and history, art and architecture, humor and redemption, travel writing and social studies, and great fun. Fiona Ingram presents this as her first of seven in a series Chronicles of the Stone. --Barbara Milbourn, Writers in the Sky

This is one of the most thrilling children's books that I have read in a long time. Fiona Ingram has combined an exciting story filled with adventure and suspenseful mystery to keep the reader turning the pages with a lot of interesting factual information about the history and geography of Egypt. --Wayne Walker, Stories for Children Magazine

The story is loaded with lots of factual detail about prehistoric Egypt ... and topical issues like protecting national treasure. There is plenty of action and some history in this mystery adventure for preteens. This is a very enjoyable story and would make a great selection for a history buff or mystery lover. --Terry Doherty, The Reading Tub

This middle grade fiction book reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. The author has a great writing style, and a great sense of humor that shines through her writing. It's books like this that spark a love of reading. -- Trish Collins, TLC Book Tours

From the Author

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was inspired by a trip I took to Egypt with my Mom and my two nephews, then aged 10 and 12. We had an amazing time exploring this wonderful, ancient culture. When I came back I thought a short story with my young relatives as the heroes would be a unique memory of an amazing trip. I also put myself in as the boys' aunt and my mother in as their intrepid adventure-loving Gran. Many of the characters and events in the book were inspired by people we met and our experiences in Egypt. Six months later I was hard at work in the first book and had already planned an entire series. If you love history, geography, action, adventure, archaeology and a story that grips you from page one (plus lots of danger!) then this is the book for you. This will also appeal to anyone who wants to save the world or (for those readers a little older) remembers their plans to do so!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595457169
• ISBN-13: 978-0595457168
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,262,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Fiona Ingram's earliest story-telling talents came to the fore when, from the age of ten, she entertained her three younger brothers and their friends with serialised tales of children undertaking dangerous and exciting exploits, which they survived through courage and ingenuity. Haunted houses, vampires, and skeletons leaping out of coffins were hot favourites in the cast of characters.

Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children's book--The Secret of the Sacred Scarab--was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into a children's book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has completed the 2nd book in the series--The Search for the Stone of Excalibur--a huge treat for young King Arthur fans, and is already immersed in Book 3, The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper. Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted daughter, from an underprivileged background who has discovered the joys of reading for pleasure.

Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

* Book Award Nominations & Wins:
* Finalist Children's Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
* Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
* Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers' Favorites Awards
* Number 2 in the USA Children's & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
* Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
* Finalist Children's Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
* Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
* Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
* Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children's Literary Classics Awards
* 2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Egypt Mystery May 27, 2012

By Coffee Ramblings TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

In this first chapter of the Chronicles of the Stone, Adam and his cousin Justin are invited to go on a trip to Egypt by their Aunt Isabel and their Grandmother. The boys are excited about visiting another country. Their Aunt tells them that the archaeologist, James Kinnaird, has disappeared while looking for the tomb of the Scarab King. The tomb of the Scarab King is just a legend and has never been proven to exist by any archaeologist.

When they arrived in Cairo, they joined a tour group. A stranger gives three tiny scarabs to Adam. More odd things happen. Their aunt's camera is switched with Dr. Khalid's camera. Adam then discovers a fourth scarab in his back pocket. What are theses mysterious scarabs? Is someone one following them? Is the legend of the Scarab King real? Adam and Justin must try to solve the mystery.

Author Fiona Ingram mixes history and legends in this fast action adventure that keeps you reading till the very end. The characters are cleverly written. Young readers can easily step into the shoes of these two cousins and experienced this exciting adventure that takes you into the heart of Egypt. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery and Adventure in Egypt April 27, 2011

By C. Sitmer

Format:Paperback

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab - Fiona Ingram

This is an adventure story about two cousins, Adam and Justin who live in South Africa. They are typical young teen age boys who are excited when their aunt, an investigative journalist and their grandmother take them along on a trip to Egypt.

Adam is convinced that he is going to have the adventure of a lifetime and is not disappointed. Adam is given 3 small scarabs by a strange peddler. When the authorities come by, the peddler quickly hands the items to Adam and disappears without being paid. Adam later finds out an expensive scarab in his pocket. A famous archeologist is missing and the boys feel that the scarab is involved in the mystery.

This book is filled with nuggets of information about Egypt. Some items are common knowledge things but she fills the novel with a lot of details about Egypt. This would be a fun classroom read 4th - 6th grade, if you were studying Egypt. The students would have fun "checking" the facts that Fiona Ingram has woven into the story.

The book reminded me a lot of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series of my childhood because the kids are the brains in the investigation and outwit the adult "bad guys". Students who like either mystery or adventure stories, would like this book. Students who are interested in Egypt would like this as well. While the main characters are boys, girls would also like this book. It will keep an adult's interest and it perfect for a family reading activity.

The only thing that I would change would be the cover if it is marketed in the United States as the cover illustration pictures boys who look a lot younger than the almost 13 and 14 year old characters.... The cover looks dated and students "judging a book by its cover" might not pick it up.

This is the first book of a series and I am going to read the other books in the series this summer. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved it. June 22, 2010

By Louise Wise

Format:Paperback

Adam reminded me of my 11 year old son. He wants adventure, thinks he can be Indiana Jones and I bought this book with him in mind. It suited his age perfectly and seemed to be written just for him!
The illustrations were very well drawn, and my son thoroughly enjoyed it. If there's a book to get kids away from the Xbox then this is it!
Imagine my delight in realising this was the first in a series of seven books! The story revolves about two young boys on a family holiday to Egypt with their eccentric gran and Aunt Isobel. They soon discover that a famous archaeologist is missing and Adam has a scarab slipped to him from a mysterious stranger.
Full of mystery and adventure. Move over Harry Potter, welcome Adam and Justin!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Adventure March 18, 2010

By Montessori Librarian

Format:Paperback

Adam and his cousin, Justin, were hoping for adventure when they left for a vacation in Egypt with their aunt and grandmother, but the two get more than they bargained for when they become mixed-up in a dangerous mystery involving a lost tomb, a missing archaeologist, and a smuggling ring led by a high-level official in the Egyptian government. Ingram's fast-paced plot is sure to hold the attention of even reluctant readers, and children will appreciate the boys' ability to outwit many of the adult characters in the story. First in a planned series, this is a must-read for young Egyptologists who will appreciate the vivid descriptions of the setting and the realistic reactions of the boys as they see the treasures of ancient Egypt for the first time. Readers will love following Adam and Justin on their journey and discovering hidden chapters on Ingram's interactive website.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spellbound! March 15, 2010

By Book Review

Format:Paperback

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is an enjoyable book to read for both adults and children. The 13 years old Adam and his cousin, Justin are excited about accompanying their award-winning journalist Aunt Isabel and their Granny to Egypt. If you enjoyed reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Enid Blyton's The Famous Five, I am sure you will look forward to reading this book. It will keep you spellbound to the end. The mysteries of the Sacred Scarab and the Scarab King unfold gradually. The story is even livelier because of its references to ancient history, legends and archaeology. It is not only educative for an inquiring mind, but also where the history comes alive!