Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books), Mara

This book rapidly became one of my favorite books of all time. With its colorful characters, suspense filled plot, exciting historical background, and romantic twist, it's a definite must-read. I've already read this book three times (unusual for me) and every time, I find myself on the edge of my seat even though I already know what's going to happen. Mara brings this book to life with her sassy attitude, bravery, and strong ambitions to rise from a slave girl to the wife of a lord. Eloise Jarvis McGraw has done a fantastic job at capturing the character's emotions and thoughts, and makes it easy to feel like you're actually there. This book is definitely worth the read for anybody!

Egypt is weakening. Queen Hatshepshut, the Imposter Pharoah, is spending Egypt's gold without reserve, building costly temples and great memorials to herself. The army is underfunded and foreign kings are poised to strike at the defenseless kingdom on the Nile. Many think that Hatshepsut has overstepped her bounds in her power as regent for her younger brother Thutmose II, and there are rebel factions intent on overthrowing her in order to save Egypt. However, this simmering revolution has a difficult obstacle in the face of Hatshepsut's network of spies and supporters intent on keeping her on the throne.

Mara has been a slave all her life, but yearns for freedom and a life without backbreaking chores and the harsh whip of her master's displeasure. Then all of a sudden, within the space of a day, Mara is recruited by two different masters, each a spy supporting a different side in the unseen war for Egypt's throne. She becomes a double agent, determined to look out for her own interests and come up the winner no matter what. However, things soon become convoluted, and it becomes exceedingly difficult to play this web of lies and stay alive at the same time. Everything is further complicated by a growing attraction to Lord Sheftu, one of her masters, an attraction that gets in the way of her previous resolution to focus on only saving her own skin. Mara soon holds the future of Egypt in her hands, a future that is looking more and more dangerous by the day...

Every summer I kind of fall back into this predilection for re-reading old childhood favorites that I suddenly remember and feel a desperate need to revisit. I think I first read Mara, Daughter of the Nile when I was in elementary school, and it was a great, exciting adventure. I also thought it was really romantic!

This time around, I was still impressed by how cleverly McGraw plotted Mara's story and the political intrigue between Hatshepsut and her brother Thutmose as well as their various supporters and spies. Daughter of the Nile was published in 1953 and is labeled as Children's Historical Fiction-this novel has more intrigue and clever twists than a lot of "adult literature" that I've read. And people keep underestimating children/young adults' literature... or just underestimating children/young adults in general. Smart kids want to read smart things. Anyway, that was really off topic.

McGraw has a smart, enjoyable heroine in Mara, and everything proceeded at the right pace. I'm not sure how accurate the history was. I think for the purposes of the story McGraw painted Hatshepsut as an evil, shallow, egotistical monarch. However, Wikipedia tells us that "Hatshepsut's reign was long and prosperous. She was successful in warfare early in her reign, but generally is considered to be a pharaoh who inaugurated a long peaceful era. She re-established trading relationships lost during a foreign occupation and brought great wealth to Egypt."

Mara, Daughter of the Nile, was one of those rare books that I was able to finish within 2 hours. Seem impossible? Not quite, for I was so utterly captivated that I just could not put the book down. The book takes Mara through so many twists and turns that I am able to swear by my life that I gasped over ten times, giggled at least seven, and nearly half cried twice. Nearly half, twice, and that is saying a lot as I am not the cry-all-over-everything type. Mara starts off as a clever yet mistreated slave (being a slave in itself is already mistreatment), then builds her way up to a status that she was only able to dream about, with a love she cherished greatly. The time that elapsed in between the two is filled with shocking and amazing occurances. The only flaw that I find with this book is that it is too short. And it has no sequel, haha...

Mara, Daughter of the Nile, is unquestionably and unequivocally, my favorite book. If you need a quick summary, it's about a seventeen-year-old slave girl (Mara) in ancient Egypt, during the reign of Hatshepsut. After she is unexpectedly sold to an agent of the queen, she travels to the palace to take up her new job as a spy. However, along the way, she meets the charming and mysterious Sheftu, leader of a rebellion against the queen. Playing the double agent, Mara is constantly in danger from both of her new masters, but as she begins to fall in love with one of them she must make a choice...
Once I hit the climax, I could NOT STOP! I didn't put the book down until I reached the end, and let me tell you that if there had been a sequel I might have snuck out to the bookstore to buy it, even though it was 11:00 at night! Though the historical facts are admittedly not too accurate, they are close enough to create the best book I have ever read, and day to day life is portrayed exceptionally well (as far as I know, at least. I'm no Egyptologist, but I do love ancient Egypt and have even travelled to the country). The action is fast-paced: intrigue and danger are twisted perfectly with romance, the ingredients in this delicious dish of three-dimensional characters and spiderweb plots, all culminating in a breathtaking climax of love and standing up for what you believe in.

Mara is a wonderful heroine for young girls. Set in the time of Hatshepsut, Pharoah of Egypt, this small novel brings to life a distant era with remarkable clarity. McGraw has crafted her vision of the period around an exciting palace intrigue. The character of Mara, a young slave girl, is an excellent example for young women and it is remarkable to find in a book that was written in the 1950s. If you know a young woman of 9 to 14, give her this book.

This is one of the best books that I have ever read - how fortunate that it is still in print after all these years! I first encountered this excellent novel in 1961. I read it at least 20 times. I was too poor to purchase, so I copied the book out in about 10 school scribblers. True! When my daughter was 10, I bought a copy for her and another for myself.

McGraw's interpretation of the era can easily be faulted, but her sense of "Egypt" cannot. This book sent me on an investigative journey into the subject of Egyptology that has been a distinct pleasure all my life. I highly recommend this wonderful tale.

This is a very positive and intriguing book for young women who like to read about ancient history and clever girls. You can read this book over and over again--this was the first and only book I read again right after I finished it. The first and only after a lifelong love of vociferous reading! Mara is someone you can relate to; Sheftu is admirable and someone you would die to have Mara fall into the arms of...if only Sheftu, if only. Mara's struggle for happiness is something we all wish feverently for her and ourselves as we take on her character and navigate through the tale. Good ending, enough to leaving you guessing "whatever happened to...?" and giving you enough to use your own imagination---something unheard of in todays world!

My friend first introduced me to this book. I thank her very much because I am constantly trying to find books to add to my bookshelf, and this is definitely one of them.
Mara, Daughter of the Nile is a refreshingly original book with a very likeable heroine and lovable hero (although he is quite the definition of a handsome, arrogant aristocrat). This book was interesting from beginning to end and the setting only made it better. I love historical fiction and this novel has confirmed why I like the genre so much.
I actually woke up in the middle of the night to finish the book and went to sleep a couple of hours later; it was that interesting. I'm surprised this book is not as well known as other favorites, but it definitely belongs on many listmanias. Despite the number of novels I read, I only find one or two very outstanding, superb novels every year. Mara is one of them.
If you're a fan of romance, adventure, and espionage, this book is the one for you. If you haven't read this novel, you're definitely missing out; it's that good.

Having ordered Mara, Daughter of the Nile from here because I haven't been able to find it in a library since I was in high school, I found that it exceeded my adult expectations of what excellent fiction should be. I loved it then and I love it now.
Seventeen-year-old Mara, a slave in Egypt, has had to live by her wits, and her sharp tongue causes most of the scrapes she gets into. One day, she runs away (again) and spends a fun day in the city of Menfe, where she manages to steal some pastries from a baker's apprentice, who, besotted with her beauty, doesn't notice she is eating his honey cakes right under his nose. She even offers him one! This little scene is witnessed by two strangers. One is a henchman of Queen Hatshepsut, current ruler of Egypt who obtained the throne of her father by questionable means. The other is a young nobleman, Lord Sheftu, who is one of the queen's favorites, handsome and charming... Hatshepsut does not realize, however, that Sheftu is helping to organize an overthrow of her kingdom in support of her half-brother, Thutmose III. The queen's henchman purchases Mara to be a spy in Thutmose's palace, but on the ship to Thebes she is recognized by Sheftu, who thinks she is still a runaway... and he conscripts her as a spy for Thutmose. Mara decides to be a double agent, believing she is cunning enough to wait and see which ruler will sit on the throne; but she underestimates the danger of her role... and her growing attraction to Lord Sheftu.
This book is richly layered; history, suspense, humor, questions of the nature of power and love entwine to bring the reader a riveting novel that delivers more than expected.

The character development is really good; they feel like real people. Sheftu is a great character who did very little wrong. He is a cunning spy who has even the queen convinced. Mara is also cunning, but in her own way. She deceives both sides and almost gets away with it. Hatshepsut is also a good villain because she makes you hate her. Inanni is understanding and much wiser than the Egyptians give her credit for. I love Egypt, which got me hooked on the book before I even started. The plot is also intriguing because it is almost what really happened. Hatshepsut disappeared without reason, and no one has found what happened to her yet. Her name was scratched from all monuments after her death. Overall, the characters weren't cardboard, and Egypt came to life.

Unlike most reviewers, I didn't discover this book until I was well into my 30s. I can't believe I missed it when I was younger and I can't believe it hasn't been made into a movie yet!! (Ah, for the good old days of the 1980s, when Hollywood was still making epic miniseries..."Mara" would have been a wonderful miniseries!)

It's absolutely a great book - good plot, character development, romance, and the author has done her homework with most of the historical details. (Apparently there's still some argument over whether Hatshepsut was overthrown.)

The only weaknesses, in my opinion, are that it's a little sanitized as far as the details of Mara's life - certainly in real life she, an attractive young woman on her own in the world, would have been in much more danger from predatory men. But considering the target age of the book, plus the fact that it was written over 50 years ago, makes that understandible.

The other thing that was disconcerting was Lord Sheftu's somewhat slavish devotion to Thutmose. Sheftu is pretty smart in the ways of the world but this is a blind spot for him. He says his devotion is "for Egypt" but I'm not buying it. I think his utter dedication to Thutmose could become a sore spot between Mara and him in the future.

Anyway, wonderful book with a strong, yet imperfect, female lead character...don't miss it.

"Mara: Daughter of the Nile" was first published in 1953. As far as I know, it has never once been out of print.

Mara, a literate and sarcastic slave girl in ancient Egypt, finds herself caught up in the intrigues of the royal court. Recruited to spy on female pharaoh Hatshepsut's half-brother Thutmose III, Mara intends to play both sides. However, she finds herself sympathizing with one side in particular--and with its charismatic ringleader, the mysterious Sheftu.

McGraw makes ancient Egypt come alive, from the rowdy streets of ancient Menfe to the dangerous glitz and glitter of the palace. The characters are immersed in their ancient culture yet still accessible to modern readers.

As with all historical novels, there are a few errors. The largest error is the presentation of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III as half-siblings. In reality, Hatshepsut was Thutmose's aunt and stepmother; Thutmose III was the son of Hatshepsut's brother-husband Thutmose II by a minor wife.

To be fair to McGraw, Egyptologists used to be quite confused by the relationship between these three pharaohs. They came up with an extremely complex succession list. Still, it is odd that McGraw presents Thutmose I as Hatshepsut's father and Thutmose III as her brother, yet makes no mention of Thutmose II.

The dialogue can be somewhat inconsistent, wavering between "thee" and "you," sometimes in the same sentence. Still, these complaints are not very important in the grand scheme of the novel. McGraw nails the setting, and she's got an incredible plot to go with it.

Mara herself is one of the best characters I've ever read. Sarcastic and smart, she is the perfect guide through the novel's intrigues, from secret meetings in working-class Egyptian taverns to encounters in the opulent palace gardens.

Although this is technically a young adult novel, readers of all ages will take great pleasure in Mara's adventures and misadventures. I bought my first copy when I was eleven. Ten years later, I've read it so much that the covers are literally falling off. This book is absolutely not to be missed.

I never much like reading until this book came along. I was forced to read this book back in the 4th grade. And after reading it I was forever hooked on adventure/romance/mystery novels. I thank you so much for this Mrs. Baker (my 4th grade teacher).

The characters truelly come to life and makes you feel as if you are right beside them every step of the way.

Because of this book I now have collections (literally box on top of box) of adventure/romance/mystery novels. I recommend it to any and all readers 9+ years old. If you like adventure, intrigue and some mystery this is the book for you!! A must read!!

Thutmose and Hatshepsut are vying for the throne of Egypt, and Mara- a slave girl- is caught up in the machinations of the nobility and their followers. Her gift with languages very nearly wins her freedom until she's swept into being a double agent. She can't tell anyone without her life being in danger- so who will she choose? And will she even be given the chance to make that choice herself? This book has everything I love- romance, adventure, court intrigue... I'm on my second, very battered copy, of the book, as I find myself re-reading it at least once a year. At least.

I discovered this book for the first time in sixth grade; I finally found my own copy when I was in high school. I'm delighted to see that it still exists; I was afraid it was out of print. I'm 42 now, and I still read this book at least once a year. It combines ancient Egypt, romance, mystery, and intrigue all in one book. Mara is clever and shrewd, but all her cleverness can't overcome her feelings for Sheftu. And the best part of the book is when Sheftu is willing to give up everything he has for her. What a wonderful romance! I recommend this for everyone; I think it whets the appetite of kids to look into ancient history. Enjoy!

Not only is the whole book great, the characters, the title, the cover, etc is just great. In all of the books I have read, never have I found a more interesting character. Mara is witty, sly, seemingly confident, courageous, and also, ignorant at times, self-doubting, spunky, and indepent- a great characteristic. She is just everything at once. Her guy...is a lot like her and different. But, S. ( I don't know how to spell his name! ) is mysterious and interesting. One of my fave guy characters!
Mara, Daughter of the Nile, takes Mara from being a slave girl, to a messenger, to a spy, to an interpreter, to a friend, and also to a Countess in a seemingly short book.

"Dangerous espionage, an unusual love story, and richly drawn background make this a book to capture quick and lasting interest." -Horn Book
Mara is a young and beautiful slave girl who yearns for freedom. But when she escapes from her cruel master, she finds herself in the hands of two new ones, both arch enemies, and one whom she finds herself falling in love with. If Mara's duplicity is discovered, instant death is the consequence.
Even though this novel is meant for younger teens, it's great for any age. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read, and it keeps you guessing from every turn on the page. Very good. *S*

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For one, I love ancient history, especially on Egypt. For another, it is a beautiful story well told. Mara starts out as a wild girl that you can not admire much, but she gets better as the book goes on. It's not long before you begin to appreciate her cleverness and wit. The other characters are well formed as well. I had a vivid picture in my mind of every one of them. I especially loved the contrast that McGraw paints between Mara and the Syrian princess. The love story is sweet, but not over-done, the plot is breathtaking, and the ending triumphant. History lover or not, you should definitely read this book.

Is there anything wrong with this book? No! Plot twists, action, adventure, romance, drama, treachery, deceit....the list goes on and on. If you aren't intimidated by the rather small print and the thickness of the book, you'll enjoy this book. Mara is a very real character, easy to relate to because of her issues with life very like issues everyone has with life. The plot is gripping--I couldn't put it down. There are some very mature themes expressed in this book as well--it's not just a children's book. Ancient Egypt seems tangible. I wish I could have lived there.

A wonderful novel I discovered when I was in junior high in 1975. I loved all the history/ruins of Egypt, so when I found a novel, I was thrilled, and read the story over and over. It is a romance, action and historical fiction all rolled into one great adventure! The copy was "old" and tattered when I found it in the school library, no one had checked it out for many years. The librarian saw how much I enjoyed the book, so she gave it to me as a "discard". I still have it, and am shocked at how much a copy is worth, and overjoyed by the amount of reviews and response to the story. So many of the readers experiences are so similar, it is amazing to me. I just thought the story was special to me.

I absolutely love this book. I love Egypt and the ancient culture is especially intruiging. The story of slave girl Mara who has to play double spy captured me in the delicate web of this story line. This brave girl who falls in love with one of her masters is wonderful and excellently written. I got it just because it had Egypt on it, but I instantly and unexpectedly fell in love with the characters and the tangled web of a story Mara gets herself caught in. This is a book I believe everyone
should read. An excellent book!

Mara, a slave girl in Ancient Egypt, finds her life tangled and twisted in every way. After being sold to a new master, Mara becomes a spy, seeking to find information about the secret rebellion against Pharoh. However, while uncovering the rebellion's plans, she falls in love with the handsome Lord Sheftu, leader of the very group she works to destroy! So Mara becomes a double agent, working by day for her master, and at night slipping secrets to Sheftu. It is a dangerous life and Mara knows that before long she will be caught.

This is one of my favorite books. McGraw truly makes the reader feel as if they were really walking along the banks of the Nile. The book will keep you reading long into the night.

I just finished reading this book, and it was probably one of the best children's literature books I've read. It made me laugh, cry and really care for the characters of the book because they were thoroughly and richly developed. I could see Sheftu striding around rooms and feel Mara's pain when she was being beaten. This book not only made one feel like they were there, following Mara around as she tried to juggle the two sides of court intrigue, it also makes one feel as though one of their fantasies is being played out, for who hasn't dreamed of spying and being a double agent?
I recommend this book for old and young alike, because its got everything a great book should have: adventure, romance, intrigue and a life lesson: follow your heart and do what you think is best and right, don't let others tell you what to do. Its also a great read just to read, and it'll be one book I'll reread again and again. It's also one of those books that makes one regretful its over, because you want to continue knowing about Sheftu and Mara. And its hard to pick up another book after it because it satisfies the reader so thoroughly. Not only is the story and plot developed well, with no confusion about all the twists and turns the book takes, it is well written and easy to read.
Its a great book and one that will endure for ages.

Ever said that? Well, don't think that about this book. Don't judge it by it's time period, location, cover or title. This book is everything but lame.
I had to read this book in 6th grade. I honestly didn't think it was going to be worth my time. Boy was I wrong! This book is unlike anything I've ever read! Historical, long and boring? Absolutley no! Filled with suspense, drama, shocks, and adventure? Absolutley yes!
Mara is just a slave girl. Nothing more. Until one day while her master is beating her, a noble man comes along and bribes the master to sell the slave. Who is this man and why does he want to buy Mara, a mere, pitiful slave girl? Surely there are better slaves than her! This man takes Mara to his home and hires her to do a job that she would never, EVER imagine to have happen to her.
But things only get more complicated.
And more complicated.
And more complicated.
And more.
This book is totally worth your time and money.

Ever said that? Well, don't think that about this book. Don't judge it by it's time period, location, cover or title. This book is everything but lame.
I had to read this book in 6th grade. I honestly didn't think it was going to be worth my time. Boy was I wrong! This book is unlike anything I've ever read! Historical, long and boring? Absolutley no! Filled with suspense, drama, shocks, and adventure? Absolutley yes!
Mara is just a slave girl. Nothing more. Until one day while her master is beating her, a noble man comes along and bribes the master to sell the slave. Who is this man and why does he want to buy Mara, a mere, pitiful slave girl? Surely there are better slaves than her! This man takes Mara to his home and hires her to do a job that she would never, EVER imagine to have happen to her.
But things only get more complicated.
And more complicated.
And more complicated.
And more.
This book is totally worth your time and money.

Mara Daughter of the Nile is an excellent book for those who want to enjoy a good mixture of suspense, intrigue, and even a little romance. It is the story of an Egyptian slave girl, Mara, who is sold as a spy for the tyrant, Queen Hatshepsut. At the same time, Mara is cornered into spying for Sheftu, the mysterious enemy of the Queen.
Even though Mara has all the characteristics of a good suspense book, there is so much more. It has the surprising endings, the twists that "you just didn't see," and the battle between good and evil. But it also weaves the story of a young slave girl in Egypt who must rise above her station and see what really matters. Mara is an ambitious girl who would do anything to get out of slavery. She doesn't realize how complicated the world is until she must decide what she thinks is right. Acting as a double spy, Mara is able to see the world differently. The world is no longer a place just for gaining power, but a place where rebels like Sheftu can fight for their cause.
Not only is the plot full of adventure, but the setting also gives the reader of taste of ancient Egypt. The names of all the ancient places and the Nile river supply the necessary avenues for the revolution. After reading the book, Egypt becomes a living place of passion for those like Mara who are there to make a difference.
The book is excellent for early teens. Girls would probably enjoy this book more than boys because they are more likely to connect to Mara as a heroine. Even though Mara is the star of the book, there is plenty of adventure for boys who are willing to put up with a little romance. Some of the parts are a little unbelievable because the situations seem impossible, but usually that just adds to the book's vitality. I enjoyed this book and anyone who starts to read it will find that they just can't put it down.

This novel is excellent for a number of reasons. I recieved it as a gift, and I read it in one day.
Pros:

Mara (the heroine) is a character with a distinct personality. She jumps out at you on the page rather than just sitting there as a bunch of words jumbled together.

The descriptions are vivid and exact, and the writing style flows effortlessly.

The story is gripping and intriguing and takes a few unexpected twists.

It seems very historical, though I am no expert on ancient Egypt.

The cover is very beautiful for those who like "pretty" books.

Cons:

None that I can think of.

I highly reccommend this book to avid readers, young or old!

Stunning book. It is a rare balance of beautiful writing - as in literature - and a fast paced plot. I loved the different points of view, and was blown away by the POV of the starry night sky who couldn't look away from her reflection on the Nile. Really good book and a lot to learn from.

This is a stirring young adult historical/romance set in the exotic, mystic land of ancient Egypt. A young slave girl, Mara, finds herself caught up in a royal spying game and is soon over her head. She's a wonderful, fleshed out character. Mara is easy to love, courageous, strong, smart, and sassy. I highly recommend this book, Mara Daughter of the Nile.

Love love love this book! Has everything I look for in a great read: intrigue, fascinating story line, great background and believable basis with the setting and times, great character development and draw, great imagery, and of course... It's all held together with a perfect romance. So great! I have read this at least ten times and own two well used copies. I would love to see this as a movie... Provided they hold to the integrity of the story. A great quick read for anyone!
Oh and clean too!! Thanks to the author for that!

Adventure. Intrigue. Romance. Spies. Royalty. Wealth. Friendship. Bribery. Revolution. Slavery. Excellent dialogue, descriptions, and believable characters. All of these elements and more are found in "Mara, Daughter of the Nile". Not to mention the fascinating picture of ancient Egyptian life and customs. It's a wonderful read on so many different levels-- if I could give it 6 stars, I would.

Another excellent read that I recommend, also by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, is "The Golden Goblet", also set in ancient Egypt.

this book became my favourite when I was 13 (about 15 years ago) when I read it the first time in German, an old beat up book my Mom had had for about 30 years (she loves it). I just recently found it on the store.com (which made me VERY happy - could never find it anywhere in Germany!) and read it for probably the 6th time and I still love it! a very entertaining story that takes place in ancient Egypt, breathtaking, romantic, and full of information about those times. Some parts might be a little beyond reality, but who cares, it's a story and sure captures me every time! Excellently written, the descriptions of the scenes make me smell the Nile.

Mara daughter of the Nile is an excellent form of historical literature, it's a must be read book.I'm sure it would be agreed that romance is a very admired genre, however this book not only contains a suspensful espionage but also has just the right amount of romance added in. As I have said before this is A MUST BE READ BOOK and I highly recommend it to those who still have not read it!

I loved this book and "Shadow Castle" by Marilyn Cockrell when I was young. I would check out Mara all the time at the school library, and finally, I ended up "forgetting" to return it. That was 35 years ago, so the guilt has passed. These two books were ones that inspired me to be a writer and I was especially thrilled when I found out that Eloise McGraw lived in Oregon. She came to one of our romance writers meetings over 12 years ago. I bought two copies of her book and got them autographed. Eloise was delightful to talk to, and I told her how much the book meant to me. She said she's written so many other books for children, many that have won awards, but Mara is the one most women want to talk about. She kind of dismissed it as a young girl's romance novel. She did seem happy to find out just how many women in the audience were fans of the book. I'm so glad I had a chance to tell her what her work meant to me. She passed away shortly after she spoke to our group.

It is obvious that truly good writing stands the test of time.

This is really, truly, one of the greatest books that I have ever read. I know that in reviews that you sometimes get biased opinions, but this is a must read. The plot is FANTASTIC. It has just the right mix of action, suspense, drama, and a little romance thrown in to make this a compelling page turner. I have read it a lot of times, and each time I discover more. It portrays ancient Egypt exquisitely, and the writing is superb. As I said before, it is a HUGE page turner, one that you have to force yourself to put down. In short, this is an excellent book, and you should definitely purchase it. You will be glad you did!

I liked this book because it had adventure,romance,humor and action.
Mara is a slave that is a double spy for two contenders for the throne.
I'm in sixth grade.

MAKE A MOVIE!!!
I give this books 5 stars!

"Mara, Daughter of the Nile" is an outstanding and very well written novel. It includes a staggering amount of interesting facts relating the Ancient Egypt that are weaved in without sounding like a report instead of a novel. It shows different charecters and their points of views while creating an elaboration of a very important event in Egyptian history. I read it for my Language Arts class while I studied Ancient Egypt in Social Studies, and it created ties between the 2 subjects. A great read that has a little bit of everything: suspense, romance, adventure, and historical relation. I highly reccomend it!

Mara, a young slave girl in Pharaoh Hatshepsut's Egypt, is this center of this cute, fast-paced and worthwhile novel. Although this novel was meant for YA, it's very enjoyable for adults as well. Egypt comes alive as Mara navigates the intrigues of the royal palace, acting as interpreter due to her skill with languages. I won't give anymore away, but if you want a quick read, this will do nicely.

I had to read this book for social studies, because its about Egypt. I didn't think it was going to be any good, but I was wrong. It has action and drama all put into one. I think the last 5 chapters are the best, though.