The Egypt Game (Paperback)

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (Author), Alton Raible (Author) "NOT LONG AGO IN A LARGE UNIVERSITY TOWN IN California, on a street called Orchard Avenue, a strange old man ran a dusty shabby store..." (more)
Key Phrases: storage yard, The Egypt Game, Casa Rosada, Orchard Avenue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Two girls get involved in an elaborate "Egypt game," a fantasy game that soon leads to strange, unexplainable happenings. PW called the characters in Snyder's Newbery Honor winner "true originals."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Tailor-made for children who love the thought of rambling mansions, garden mazes, and hidden treasure."

-- Booklist

"An increasingly captivating story, which builds to a risky and daring climax."

-- Kirkus Reviews --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (December 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440422256
• ISBN-13: 978-0440422259
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (203 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,591 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Catalyst for the Imagination, June 2, 2001

By	"kaia_espina" (Quezon City, Philippines) - See all my reviews

I wouldn't be surprised if readers finish this book and don't turn back to the TV, but instead put together make-believe worlds of their own--not necessarily Egyptian ones.

This book may not have transported me back to the real Ancient Egypt, but it did take me into the kind of world only a child's imagination can create. It contains makeshift altars and special names, made-up rituals and homemade costumes, "modified" hieroglyphics and even a new way to walk. Anyone who has ever invented his or her own special world, out of fascination or out of boredom, will understand the appeal of "The Egypt Game".

While reading, I often thought that Zilpha Keatley Snyder had more fun writing about the made-up rituals than the characters had performing them. Not only are they fun, they are more or less well-researched, which is only right, as two of her characters are enthusiastic readers who pay attention to details. Throughout the story, Snyder's sense of humor shines through, whether she is making one character sprinkle ashes into his hair or making two other characters refrain from doing so, "because to a girl even the death of a pharaoh isn't worth a dirty head."

Except for April Hall and Melanie Ross--and the Professor, of course--the characters are not very complex. They become part of Egypt not because they have something vital to add to the plot, but because they make the game more fun. Only a few of them go through a change that is apparent at the end of the story. However, their personalities are varied enough to contribute to the small conflicts in each chapter (this is a semi-episodic novel), and to let readers have different favorite characters.

The book has its darker parts, however. Part of the story involves the murder of some small children, and the murderer remains at large for most of the novel. (Even I found this extreme. The story could have been just as fun and mysterious without it.) Also, the idol worship and divination aspects of some of the games may be disturbing because they are very realistic and taken very seriously by the children. As for the Professor, his role in the story is so ambiguous at the beginning that only experienced readers will be able to tell, by the third chapter, whether the Professor is spooky or friendly, a bad guy or one of the good guys.

In spite of the drawbacks, I found "The Egypt Game" truly enjoyable and fun to read. I only wish that children had more books that stress the wonder of discovery, imagination, and good, old-fashioned play.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little imagination goes a long way, February 19, 2006

By	Amanda Richards "Modest to the extreme" (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book reminds us that back in 1967, children played games that expanded their imaginations and sent them voluntarily to the library to seek information. Computers and the internet now make the information search so much easier, but sadly, many children don't take their eyes away from the television screen, X-Box game or Game Boy long enough to realize what they are missing.

This story tells of a group of six children from different cultures and backgrounds who are drawn together by a common interest in Egyptian mythology. They stumble upon an unused lot of land adjoining the local antique dealer/junk shop where they create their own replica of ancient Egypt, complete with statuary and hieroglyphics and perform the most necessary rites and rituals with due pomp and ceremony.

To make things even more interesting, there are elements of danger and mystery, and the author even manages to include different types of family situations and how the children react to their various circumstances.

A simple book that introduces children to the vast and often untapped worlds of their imagination.


Amanda Richards, February 19, 2006

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Egyptians, Hieroglyphics, Ancient Egypt., November 6, 1999

By A Customer

They call themselves the Egypt gang. They have their own meeting place. They worship gods. They have their own hierolyphics, etc. Marshall, Toby, Ken, Melanie, Elizabeth, and April are all part of it. They have so much fun until something happens. Read and find out. Good for people who like ancient history. Great book for everyone!