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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I've been meaning to read this for several years in order to determine if it was worth book talking to my middle grade readers. My younger readers may have trouble with the story due to the large number of characters and the rapid pace of the story. My advanced and older students who enjoy adventurous, historical fiction and/or the diary format will enjoy this novel. It'll definitely increase their background knowledge of this time period, but stress that they read the historical notes at the end that explain just how much we don't know of Cleopatra's life then recommend nonfiction books that pair with this story (there are a ton).
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
I loved these books as a child and I've been going through my bookshelves deciding what to keep and what I'm ready to donate. I will keep this novel for my nieces or for any future kids I might have. I was interested in how they represented the different cultures who called Alexandria (and all of Egypt) home, I was also glad they emphasized Cleopatra's Macedonian heritage and the fact that her family were not native Egyptians. This isn't a groundbreaking novel by any means, but it is interesting and would be a good stepping stone read for a child interested in ancient Egypt.
Well, I had to mark this book as "read" to get it out of my "currently reading" list, but I didn't finish it. It was simply too boring. Maybe I'm just in the wrong frame of mind right now. It bothers me too much that we don't actually know anything about Cleopatra's thoughts and feelings, but that's basically all this book is. I am interested in Cleopatra's story, but there's too much fiction in this historical fiction.
informative
reflective
fast-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:
Yes
I was absolutely obsessed with this book as a pre-teen so much so that I read it 4 times. So many good memories from this book! I definitely recommend this to parents for children 11+ years old.
informative
medium-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
They were insane back then god damn
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very important text to me growing up.
Does have some anachronism when it comes to focus on things that tie into monotheism
Does have some anachronism when it comes to focus on things that tie into monotheism
This was okay overall! I do think it is pretty unlikely that she met all of these individuals when she was so young, however. It felt wedged because this had to be a diary from her younger self.