Product Description

"The deserted storage yard and shed behind the A-Z Antique and Curio Shop becomes the Land of Egypt for April and Melanie, who spend every available moment playing the Egypt game . . . Eventually other children are drawn into the game which culminates in the capture of a murderer. . . . The book has originality, and verve in plot, style, and characterization."--School Library Journal starred review.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #161747 in Books
• Brand: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR
• Published on: 1986-01-01
• Released on: 1985-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .10 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Two girls get involved in an elaborate "Egypt game," a fantasy game that soon leads to strange, unexplainable happenings. PW called the characters in Snyder's Newbery Honor winner "true originals."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Tailor-made for children who love the thought of rambling mansions, garden mazes, and hidden treasure."

-- Booklist

"An increasingly captivating story, which builds to a risky and daring climax."

-- Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher
The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, Melanie and April decide it's the perfect spot for Egypt Game.

Before long there are six Egyptians instead of two. After school and on weekends they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code.

Everyone thinks it's just a game, until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Customer Reviews

A Catalyst for the Imagination
I wouldn't be surprised if readers finish this book and don't turn back to the TV, but instead put together make-believe worlds of their own--not necessarily Egyptian ones.

This book may not have transported me back to the real Ancient Egypt, but it did take me into the kind of world only a child's imagination can create. It contains makeshift altars and special names, made-up rituals and homemade costumes, "modified" hieroglyphics and even a new way to walk. Anyone who has ever invented his or her own special world, out of fascination or out of boredom, will understand the appeal of "The Egypt Game".

While reading, I often thought that Zilpha Keatley Snyder had more fun writing about the made-up rituals than the characters had performing them. Not only are they fun, they are more or less well-researched, which is only right, as two of her characters are enthusiastic readers who pay attention to details. Throughout the story, Snyder's sense of humor shines through, whether she is making one character sprinkle ashes into his hair or making two other characters refrain from doing so, "because to a girl even the death of a pharaoh isn't worth a dirty head."

Except for April Hall and Melanie Ross--and the Professor, of course--the characters are not very complex. They become part of Egypt not because they have something vital to add to the plot, but because they make the game more fun. Only a few of them go through a change that is apparent at the end of the story. However, their personalities are varied enough to contribute to the small conflicts in each chapter (this is a semi-episodic novel), and to let readers have different favorite characters.

The book has its darker parts, however. Part of the story involves the murder of some small children, and the murderer remains at large for most of the novel. (Even I found this extreme. The story could have been just as fun and mysterious without it.) Also, the idol worship and divination aspects of some of the games may be disturbing because they are very realistic and taken very seriously by the children. As for the Professor, his role in the story is so ambiguous at the beginning that only experienced readers will be able to tell, by the third chapter, whether the Professor is spooky or friendly, a bad guy or one of the good guys.

In spite of the drawbacks, I found "The Egypt Game" truly enjoyable and fun to read. I only wish that children had more books that stress the wonder of discovery, imagination, and good, old-fashioned play.

A little imagination goes a long way
This book reminds us that back in 1967, children played games that expanded their imaginations and sent them voluntarily to the library to seek information. Computers and the internet now make the information search so much easier, but sadly, many children don't take their eyes away from the television screen, X-Box game or Game Boy long enough to realize what they are missing.

This story tells of a group of six children from different cultures and backgrounds who are drawn together by a common interest in Egyptian mythology. They stumble upon an unused lot of land adjoining the local antique dealer/junk shop where they create their own replica of ancient Egypt, complete with statuary and hieroglyphics and perform the most necessary rites and rituals with due pomp and ceremony.

To make things even more interesting, there are elements of danger and mystery, and the author even manages to include different types of family situations and how the children react to their various circumstances.

A simple book that introduces children to the vast and often untapped worlds of their imagination.


Amanda Richards, February 19, 2006

Egyptians, Hieroglyphics, Ancient Egypt.
They call themselves the Egypt gang. They have their own meeting place. They worship gods. They have their own hierolyphics, etc. Marshall, Toby, Ken, Melanie, Elizabeth, and April are all part of it. They have so much fun until something happens. Read and find out. Good for people who like ancient history. Great book for everyone!