Parents' Guide to

The Egypt Game

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Newbery Honor book is a fun mystery romp.

Book Zilpha Keatley Snyder Mystery 1985
The Egypt Game Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 10 parent reviews

Liz U.
Liz U. Parent of 9 and 11-year-old
October 4, 2022
age 12+

Not okay for many 9 year olds!

We got this book based on the 9plus rating but after the first murder (of a character unknown to the kids in the book) i checked the parent reviews in more detail. We’ve had to decide to stop reading it as some of the stuff in the book would terrify our kid, and she probably wouldn’t sleep for a week. Common sense media need to look at this age rating.
1 person found this helpful.
Dad-pere
Dad-pere Adult
June 6, 2020
age 18+

Super inappropriate for elementary students

Starts light and w/positive messaging, then nose dives into the murder of children the same age of the characters, in their own neighborhood. Not a mystery. Inappropriate for any age child not able to discern the true threat of stranger danger. Horrifying even for adults to contemplate.

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

April is sent to live with her grandmother while her mother tours with a band. Angry, lonely, and determined that her stay will be a short one, April reluctantly makes friends with Melanie, another girl in the apartment building. April soon realizes that she and Melanie have a great deal in common, including an interest in the ancient Egyptians. When horrible and mysterious things start happening, the Egypt gang wonder who or what is causing it and if the events are connected.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (21):

EGYPT GAME is a fun, scary, and exciting story at times; at other times the book is a bit slow. Snyder does a great job getting readers to care about the characters. We want to know if April Hall will ever warm up to her grandma and if Marshall Ross will ever give up his stuffed octopus "Security." Will Melanie Ross be able to get the kids at school to understand April's eccentric personality?

Kids will like how Snyder captures the preteen disgust and teasing that accompanies boy/girl relations and how she draws readers into the Egyptian world the gamers create with found objects and their imaginations. Then their world is disrupted by a very adult and tragic event -- the murder of a neighborhood child -- the second in as many years. Of course there are plenty of suspicious characters. And of course the kids are immediately drawn in to the mystery, just as readers will be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the religion of other cultures, especially the rituals and rites of ancient Egypt. They can also discuss safety issues. What things can they do to stay safe? What can they do if they are ever attacked?

Book Details

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