mandimartin's review against another edition
4.0
I don't really remember what this book was about because I read it in 5th grade, but I do remember enjoying it. This was before converse had come back into style and I remember thinking how silly and dated the book looked with the kids all in high tops. I remember it being exciting....but I was 10 and a lot of things were exciting then.
mlklein1's review against another edition
2.0
A Newbury Honor Book? Really? While this was an interesting story, I found the children to not behave in the manner of actual children - speaking wisely beyond their years and with adult emotions - emotions we might like them to have, but that for the most part, they do not.
Interesting to note that the NY Times Book Review (quoted on the inside cover) says the author "[presents:] contemporary children as they talk and act on their own." Yeah, I don't think so.
The story, whlie interesting, is somewhat choppy. Months are covered by a single line, then many paragraphs describe a walk of a few blocks. Oh, and in the middle there is casually mentioned a child murderer in the neighborhood. A what?! Yeah, that's what I thought too. And then that plot goes away for 1/4 of the novel until returning at the end.
I'd say it's better than many YA novels I've read recently, but it was still uneven.
Interesting to note that the NY Times Book Review (quoted on the inside cover) says the author "[presents:] contemporary children as they talk and act on their own." Yeah, I don't think so.
The story, whlie interesting, is somewhat choppy. Months are covered by a single line, then many paragraphs describe a walk of a few blocks. Oh, and in the middle there is casually mentioned a child murderer in the neighborhood. A what?! Yeah, that's what I thought too. And then that plot goes away for 1/4 of the novel until returning at the end.
I'd say it's better than many YA novels I've read recently, but it was still uneven.
alleyson's review against another edition
5.0
the first novel i ever picked up became my instant favorite as a kid, even after reading several novels thereafter. it instantly made me fall in love with fiction and mystery, leading me to believe—even for a short while—that i was going to be a writer when i grew up. though my paperback copy is probably in the supply room now, rotting, remembering this book will always bring me fond memories.
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Abandonment, Death, Mental illness, Murder, and Child death
mschmug's review against another edition
4.0
My goal of reading Newberry Winners is enjoyable. I love these books! The Egypt Game reminds me of my daughter who has the most creative imagination.
kecb12's review against another edition
4.0
I pulled this book out of the library in the hopes that a student I'm tutoring might like it. He didn't seem terribly interested, but I decided to read it anyways. What a fun, whimsical book about childhood, imagination, and family. One of my major thoughts while reading this book was that the imaginary land these children create is so different than the digital world that children of today inhabit. It made me sad to think that so many kids don't get a chance to experience anything like what happens in this book. I was also struck by the way Snyder deals with April's family situation in the book. She never dwells on the dysfunction, but instead chooses to see April's family as something that contributes to who April is. There's a lot to be said for dealing with disappointment and abandonment by plunging ahead, making new friends, and embracing the life that's in front of you. What a fun book. :)
surpriseitem's review against another edition
4.0
I think I read this book in fourth grade. I remember liking it, because it had mystery in it and I was in a CSI phase of life. It sparked my interest in Egypt, but not by a lot. That was what made me disappointed in the book. It was that it didn't move me to like Egypt that much. I know that's bad, but I read this soon after reading PJ&O, so that was kind of a let down. Hopefully, I'll read it again sometime this year.
isabelmazyck's review against another edition
3.0
Really wanted to give four stars but realized it’s because the ending was so redemptive. A very enjoyable story, but for my students, it may feel a little outdated.
sc104906's review against another edition
5.0
A group of children find an abandoned back yard and decide to repurpose it for their game of imagination. Melanie and April are obsessed with ancient Egypt. In their land of "Egypt" they are the priestesses of Marshamosis (Melanie's little brother Marshall). April and Melanie had hoped to keep Egypt a secret, which may be harder than they expected. Also, there is a murderer living in the neighborhood. How can Melanie and April keep their game as it is?
This was a great book, it felt like what Chronicles of Narnia would have been if the Penvensi children imagined Narnia and their adventures there.
This was a great book, it felt like what Chronicles of Narnia would have been if the Penvensi children imagined Narnia and their adventures there.
deepfreezebatman's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! They just don't write kids books like they used to.