The Egypt Game

Snyder, Z. K. (1986). The Egypt game. (Raible, A. illus.). A Dell Yearling Book. (Original work published 1967). 215 pages. ISBN 0440422256

Primary genre: realistic fiction

Other elements: fantasy, friendship, family, suspense

Intended reader age: 8 and up

Synopsis:

The Egypt Game began when April and Melanie (and Melanie’s four-year-old brother Marshall) learn that they both have a great love for all things Egyptian. The discovery of neglected yard behind the A-Z Antiques Curio Shop, along with a Nefertiti bust, supply the girls with the perfect location to expand the game. The inclusion of three new members has the girls concerned that the game might change but they soon learn that everyone has something new and fun to offer. Soon however, strange things start to occur and the players in the Egypt Game begin to question if it is possible that their game of pretend is not so fake after all.

Review:

I was one of those kids that absolutely loved this book when I when I first read it. I was definitely interested in all things Egyptian just as the main characters were. It was never to the extent that they were, but I was able to live through their experiences in the book. Reading this again, it was the illustrations that really stood out to me as something that I recalled from reading it when I was younger. I didn’t even recall the main ‘drama’ that slightly guides and impacts the story line.

The one thing that I go back and forth between is the ability for our current generation of readers to relate to the main characters. In this instance I am referring to readers the same age as the main characters. These are kids in the 6^th grade, which in most cases now means middle school, and they are engaging in a game of pretend. Even in the book it is discussed how their peers can view this as a child-like activity; making it one that they need to keep to themselves because others are likely to make fun of them. It is open to younger readers, not only because one of the characters is a fourth grader, but because the characters admit that what they are doing is something younger kids would do. I did like in the story that when the two boys found out, they decided to join. There was some reluctance from one of them, but for the most part they both came in willing to enjoy the experience of being young and playing pretend.

Snyder did continue the characters’ story in another novel, The Gypsy Game, which follows their adventures in a whole new game about (you guessed it) gypsies. 

 The silhouette style is how all of Snyder's books are published now.