The Pharaoh's Secret

By Marissa Moss

Book Overview

Filled with intrigue and surprises, The Pharaoh's Secret includes Marissa Moss's original illustrations throughout. The novel skillfully weaves history with a personal story full of heartache and family tensions that will entice and enthrall readers. When Talibah and her younger brother, Adom, accompany their father, an academic, to his homeland of modern Egypt on his research assignment, they become involved in a mystery surrounding an ancient, lost pharaoh--a rare queen ruler. Someone has tried to wipe her from the record, to make it appear as if she never existed She needs Talibah to help her and her high priest, Senenmut, reclaim their rightful place in history. Exotic locales, mysterious strangers, and a sinister archaeologist round out an adventure that is full of riddles, old tales, and, most surprisingly of all, a link to Talibah's and Adom's mother, who died mysteriously. F&P level: W

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810983788
• ISBN13: 9780810983786
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

good for children 8-12

I loved it! I'm 8 year's old and I read it in one afternoon. The way the author solved the mystery made it very interesting.

Fantastic new direction for Moss

As a fan of Marissa Moss's outstanding AMELIA'S NOTEBOOK and MAX'S LOGBOOK seriees, as well as her many picture books and historical journals, I was delighted to discover that she has published a first novel! It was wonderful to lose myself in Moss's masterfully created mystery, which weaves together Egyptian history and contemporary life, the inner world of dreams and the everyday family dynamics. I found myself rooting wholeheartedly for Talibah, a smart and sympathetic teenage girl, as she grapples with the absence of her mother, the pressures of being far from home, and the mysteries of an ancient love affair. As usual, Moss's vivid writing brings "exotic" environments, history, and emotions to life. THE PHAROAH'S SECRET would be a fascinating introduction to Egyptian history ( I didn't know much about the female pharoah Hatshepsut before reading it, and came away fromt he book enlightened, as well as moved and entertained! ) In addition, Moss' beautiful ink drawings enliven the text throughout. My two teenage readers loved the book as well, and we all hope to read MORE of Marissa Moss' books!