This story is about a young girl who lives with her aunt and uncle in a province of ancient Egypt during Hatshepsut's rule. When Maia discovers that her uncle is stealing grain from the temple, she must decide whether or not to turn him in. Her choice takes her on a wild adventure that eventually brings her to the feet of queen Hatshepsut!
I loved this story because it really incorporated a lot of details about what life might have been like in ancient Egypt. I found myself thinking, "This would be a good place to have students create a mental image of what is being described", or "Wow, I didn't know that most people slept on the roof of their house during this time period". The author, Ann Turner, collaborated with Catharine Roehrig, the Assistant Curator for the Egyptian Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to ensure that the story contained historically accurate details.
Because we have been focusing on reading strategies in my Elementary Reading and Language Arts Curriculum and Instruction class, I could hear one part of my brain processing where I would want to stop with my students and point out different strategies they could use. The story starts with a flashback, and when you reach the end of chapter one, it is necessary to go back and verify that you are now reading about a part of the story that happened after the flashback, because it is not instantly apparent.
Hey Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read many books about Egypt, but this looks like a good one. I would never have thought that a book based on Egypt would be historical fiction..........I tend to think more about the events to do with the civil rights movement etc. What grade do you think this would be appropriat for, based on the fact that there are flashbacks etc. The cover alone is inviting to the reader. Good choice!!!!
Isn't it fun how historical fiction books give as an inside picture of a period of history? They often present perspectives we never thought of - and I see you felt that way by reading about Maia. I have frequently become so caught up in historical books that I want to go back in time and live in the historical event myself!
ReplyDeleteI know Gina! I'm hadn't really thought about it either. Isn't it weird how our brain edits what falls into certain literature categories. I would say this book is probably good for 4th and 5th graders, and maybe some very avid readers in 3rd grade.
ReplyDeleteI used to feel the same way about historical fiction. The color I always envisioned when thinking of the genre was gray, but now after reading about your experience I will try to find more colorful forms of historical fiction. Isn't it funny how a genre can be stereotyped.
ReplyDeleteI know! I bet it had something to do with how the genre was introduced to us in school.
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