Hot on the Trail in Ancient Egypt

Gr 3–5—The Binkerton twins, Emma and Josh, have had a boring summer hanging out with their little sister, Libby, while their friends are on vacation. One day, Libby runs into the Good Time Travel Agency, owned and run by the eccentric Julian T. Pettigrew. She opens up a strange book, Julian T. Pettigrew's Personal Guide to Ancient Egypt, sending the trio back to 2500 BCE along the Nile River Valley. There they must navigate ancient Egypt, exploring markets, learning hieroglyphics, and even building the great pyramids, as they find a way home. Similar to the "Magic Tree House" series, this title centers siblings on an unexpected journey filled with danger and excitement. Most of the pages in this story are split in half; the top focuses on Emma, Josh, and Libby, while the bottom (from Julian T. Pettigrew's guide) gives detailed facts and information on ancient Egypt. This updated version of a title published in 2000 features a "further exploration" section (with recommended books, websites, and DVDs) and additional back matter material, though the narrative remains the same as in the original. Lighthearted and simply presented, this offering covers more than just the standard mummies and pyramids. The art is clean and expressive, with lots of hidden details and Easter eggs readers will sure to be scouring pages to find.