It’s probable that Donna Jo Napoli’s books first sparked my interest in historical fiction with “Beast” being the most memorable. I am always confident when picking up a book from this author that the material is well researched – yet still suspenseful and not bogged down by someone trying too hard to prove they are knowledgeable on the subject. It’s interesting as I haven’t read a book by her (or anyone) since before I had my daughter, who is now almost 18 months. My perspective and the characters I’m drawn towards is somewhat different, and it really surprised me. Kepi, an Egyptian peasant girl, finds herself in the care of a baby baboon and when two boys steal “Babu” away, she gives chase and finds herself as a captive as well. I appreciate that this girl is NOT a damsel-in-distress, but a young woman determined to do what’s necessary to save her baboon, and her family from ruin brought on by ruthless pharaoh. She has big aspirations and doesn’t let anyone’s doubt interfere with her own ambition. This is the type of story I want my daughter to read and know that you need to be a master of your own destiny (though help along the way from some Egyptian Gods and Goddesses doesn’t hurt)! Ultimately, I’m sure some readers may be able to predict the ending – I couldn’t. I enjoyed it the book, but honestly I may have preferred an alternate ending. Kepi is a young Egyptian girl whose father was injured in the construction of the pyramids. Her father has plans to get their family back on track and she and her pet baboon Babu have a part in these plans. Unfortunately Babu is stolen and when Kepi goes after him, she too is kidnapped. When her and Babu are separated, she knows that she must go to the capital city to retrieve him and find a way to speak with the pharaoh about the injustice of what happens to those who get injured or killed working on the pyramid's and what happens to their families. Once in the city she makes friends with two boys, both orphans, one a slave and one an apprentice and another girl. Their trip takes them to places and to meet people they never imagined.I thought this was a really interesting take on who becomes a fairy and how they become a fairy. Fairy's are not typically something that I think of as being Egyptian. It was not a place I was ever expecting the story to go and I really appreciated the surprise. It's clear that the author did a lot of research on Ancient Egypt and it's culture and I always love historical fiction that really teaches you things.
Do You like book Lights On The Nile (2011)?
It read like 5 (give or take) different books all rolled into one. Very hard for me to follow.
—khaliaromae
Great adventure story with a girl heroine. Good for a 5-6th grader.
—jessyay
