Common Sense Media Review
By Jasmine Baten
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting fantasy has mild violence, strong girls & women.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DAUGHTERS OF THE LAMP, Sahara Rashad is a tween girl who just wants to go to the amusement park this summer that everyone in her class has been to. Instead, her father surprises her with a trip to Cairo, Egypt for her uncle's wedding, where Sahara will meet her deceased mom's family for the first time. Sahara is swept away by cousins, wedding traditions, her uncle's mean fiancée Magda, and tales of danger and magic. She finds out that magic is more real than she thought, and she'll need to be braver than ever to protect her loved ones. Through unraveling the mysteries of the family, Sahara connects with her cousins and learns to love being both Egyptian and American.
Is It Any Good?
Nedda Lewers' exciting and vibrant novel makes for a fun and suspenseful read that's full of beautiful cultural references and characters written so thoughtfully they'll feel like relatives of your own. Daughters of the Lamp is full of mystery, magic, and self-discovery, bringing ancient legends of treasure into the modern day. The story will have a special draw for young readers of color who will see themselves and their families in this beautifully drawn fantasy world, but the book also has wide appeal with its relatable protagonist who wants to protect her family and learn more about who she really is.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way that Sahara is similar and different to Morgana and the women in her family. How have things changed for girls over time?
It's clear that Sahara's family has a lot of love for each other, especially when it comes to her role models. What are ways that the author shows that they have strong relationships?
Families can talk about the way that kids in the novel have help when facing dangerous situations and people. How does having help and not being alone work for the characters? What might it do for their courage and teamwork?
Throughout the book, Sahara thinks about what it means to be Egyptian and American. How have you thought about your cultural identities, and how has it changed over time? What do your identities mean to you?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : February 20, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate