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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This is easily. in my kids' top 3 favorite read aloud books. They can't wait to get their hands on Snyder's other books. I'd take off half a star for outdated language (among other things the story ends with a reference to Gypsies) but considering when it was written, it's pretty minimal, and makes for good conversations about what language we do or do not use and why.
I didn't read this book until middle school, and then I read it during school. But man, I loved it. It sparked my imagination all over again. I read it several times and remember it making me want to learn hieroglyphics, and trying to turn my old shed into a space like in the book. A great book to get kids interested in Egypt!
Another great kids' book that I'm sure I would have adored had I read it as a kid. A great story, fun characters, and of course, Egypt. These kids have fantastic imaginations, way more so than any kids I knew. But maybe it's been so long since I've been a kid that I don't remember the fantastic, yet imaginary adventures we'd have. Reading this for the first time as an adult, I feel it's not as magical as it could be, but that's probably just my perspective.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Found a copy of this at my mom's house when we were there this summer. I vaguely remember reading it as a kid, but Clark really wanted me to read it aloud. Lily was a little less enthralled then Clark, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. It certainly was a very different world that the kids in the book live in. Kids today would never be allowed to disappear into abandoned lots down alleys for hours at a time.
Sure, this is a bit weird. But then again, what games as kids weren't weird now that we're a little older? I found the way the children acted to actually be very true. When we're children we don't act as if we're babies. No, we're our own person with grand ideas and a personality. I appreciated that portrayal in the book. After I finished my own childhood memories were rolling around inside me more vivid than they have been for a long time. The games, the silly fears (alley way), and the conviction. So, even though it took me a little while to really get into this, once I did I was brought to my own childish reality. Artfully mastered.
3.5- A lovely heartfelt tale about friendship, accepting yourself as well as others' quirks, loss, family, a bit about history, and best of all the long lost art of creativity and pretending. I wish I had been insightful enough to join these 6 characters in their fun and educational game as a kid. Worthwhile!
...I hated everything about this. Apparently I read this as a child and, having now reread it, it's clear why I had blocked it from my memory.
A great children's book. This story fascinated me as a kid. I love it.