Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris [Hardcover]

R. L. LaFevers (Author), Yoko Tanaka (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2008 | Age Range: 9 and up | Series: Theodosia | Lexile Measure: 750L (What's this?)

Theodosia Throckmorton is in a fix. Allowed to attend a reception given by one of the directors of her parents’ museum, she stumbles across Mr. Tetley of the British Museum—in most unusual circumstances! Since Theo has last seen him in a showdown in an ancient Egyptian tomb, his reappearance could mean only one thing: the Serpents of Chaos are back.
Once again Theodosia will have to take on secret societies, evil curses, and dark magic too sinister to imagine, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. Blocked at every turn, Theodosia will have to rely on her own skill and cunning—along with a little help from the most unexpected places.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Theodosia Throckmorton is a clever 11-year-old who spends most of her time removing curses from artifacts in the Museum of Legends and Antiquities in pre-World War I England. In Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (Houghton, 2007), she foiled the evil plans of the Serpents of Chaos, a secret society bent on bringing the entire world to chaos. Here, she causes a scene at a formal party when she recognizes a mummy being unwrapped as Mr. Tetley, a member of the Serpents of Chaos who had been missing from his job at the British Museum. Theodosia has more problems when all the mummies from every museum in London are found in the lobby of the museum where her parents work, and the police suspect her father of the theft. Theodosia has to get rid of mummies, curses, and governesses hired by her dreaded grandmother, and thwart the dastardly plan of the Serpents of Chaos. Archaeology and fantasy fans alike will find much to love in this magical tale chock-full of ancient Egyptian artifacts and details. Theodosia's first-person narration is often very funny as she deals with the adults around her, and the plot is quick and multilayered like a well-wrapped mummy.—Samantha Larsen Hastings, West Jordan Public Library, UT
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From Booklist

Theodosia, the no-nonsense 11-year-old with an archaeological bent, last seen in Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (2007), once again must take on the secret society that’s working its evil ways on Edwardian England. With plenty of missing mummies and ancient Egyptian spells, as well as more mundane problems like a father in jail and a series of untenable governesses, Theodosia has her hands full. Clever and exciting, just like the previous book, this also features a layered relationship between Theodosia and her grandmother. Nonstop action in a delightfully English package. Grades 5-8. --Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; First Edition edition (November 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618927646
• ISBN-13: 978-0618927647
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

R. L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine when she's in really big trouble) grew up surrounded by shelves of old dusty books, a passel of brothers, and a wide variety of pets, including a goat, chickens, chipmunks, a baby anteater, and, for a few short weeks, two bear cubs, who were very wild and untamed. She has also spent a large portion of her life being told she was making up things that weren't there, which only proves she was destined to write fiction. She is the author of eight books for young readers, including Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos, (Houghton Mifflin, 2007) which received starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Booksense Summer Pick, and nominated for the Malice Domestic's Agatha Award. Kirkus calls her most recent book, Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix, (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) ". . . an exciting tale." Look for the sequel, Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: The Basilisk's Lair (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) in Spring of 2010.

R. L. lives in Southern California with her family and spends her time daydreaming, making up stories, and wallowing in old forgotten texts. Although she no longer has any exotic pets, she does have raccoons who visit her back porch, coyotes who howl at her window, and hawks that soar high overhead.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#74 in Books > Teens

#74 in Books > Teens

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read December 25, 2008

By Ariaceliz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

This book has an old world charm to it. The author does an excellent job of making you feel like your right there with the little heroine in every page. I like that it has an English/Egyptian setting but there is a gothic air to the book. Here is this little girl on the cusp of adolescence, who feels like the black sheep of her family, and its up to her to preserve/save an artifact in order to save the secret society and her father's good name. I won't describe the plot in details but this book was definitely worth the read. I suggest reading it and giving it to a young girl in your life.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I agree with the Indiana Jones for girls reference... July 16, 2009

By stinhoutx VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Once I finally picked up the book to read it, I rarely put it down until I was finished. The story is narrated by Theodosia Throckmorton, whose parents work with an Egyptology museum. The mystery at hand and a number of surprises kept me turning pages and reading chapter after next. I felt it moved along at a good pace, drawing you into the story, and the characters are interesting. Secret societies, more than one, reformed pickpockets, villains trying to bring chaos, odd governesses, mummies and more each have their place in the story. Curses, unsettled spirits, and some good old Egyptian magic add an exciting element. I think this could be an excellent movie. There are references to the first of the series, but there is enough background provided so as to not be completely lost. It did entice me to make sure I got both books. There is a companion website for the main character and the author, with more information for those with an interest in Ancient Egypt. I recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Magical Museum Fun October 16, 2008

By Steve Ruskin VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

What kid wouldn't enjoy a story about a self-assured 11-year old set loose in a museum who handles magical Egyptian artifacts and fights an evil secret society? We enjoyed reading the 'Staff of Osiris'; the magical elements are along the lines of Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl, while the museum mysteries are reminiscent of 'From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.' We'll probably get the first in the 'Theodosia' series as well.