The Egypt Game

A group of children in Berkeley, California create an elaborate imaginative world based on Ancient Egypt. What begins as a simple game transforms into an intricate ritual of imagination, complete with ceremonies and Egyptian artifacts they discover near a local antique shop. The story centers on April Hall, who arrives to live with her grandmother and meets her neighbors Melanie and Marshall Ross. The children's shared fascination with Egyptian culture leads them to establish a secret play area behind the antique shop, where they develop their own version of Egyptian customs and traditions. As their Egypt Game grows more complex, the children face real-world challenges and mysteries in their neighborhood. The presence of the mysterious antique shop owner known as The Professor adds an element of uncertainty to their adventures. The book explores themes of friendship, imagination, and the power of play to help children process real-life challenges. Through their created world of Ancient Egypt, the characters discover ways to deal with personal struggles and build meaningful connections.

Readers appreciate the book's respect for children's intelligence and imagination, with many noting how it encouraged their own creative play as kids. The detailed Egyptian mythology and focus on academic research resonates with history-minded readers. Readers praise: - Diverse characters that feel natural, not forced - Mystery elements that build tension without being too scary - Realistic depiction of children's imaginative play - Educational aspects woven into the story Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Dated cultural references and language - Abrupt ending - Some parents note concerns about occult themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (38,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Made me feel seen as a weird kid who loved mythology," writes one Goodreads reviewer. Multiple Amazon reviews mention re-reading it as adults with their children. Several readers note the book inspired them to study Egypt.

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🔸 The book won a Newbery Honor in 1968, marking it as one of the most distinguished American children's books of that year. 🔸 Author Zilpha Keatley Snyder never visited Egypt but conducted extensive research through books and museum visits to accurately portray Egyptian customs and artifacts. 🔸 The children's detailed Egyptian ceremonies in the book are based on actual ancient Egyptian religious practices, including the worship of Thoth and Isis. 🔸 Berkeley, where the story is set, was chosen because of its diverse population and rich cultural atmosphere during the 1960s, reflecting the author's commitment to depicting multicultural friendships. 🔸 The bust of Nefertiti, which plays a central role in the story, was inspired by the famous 1345 BCE limestone sculpture discovered in 1912, now housed in Berlin's Neues Museum.