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About the Book   The Egypt Game

The Egypt Game transports readers into the imaginative world of six children who share a fascination with ancient Egypt. The story begins with April Hall, a sophisticated girl sent to live with her grandmother in a dingy California apartment complex. Feeling out of place, April soon meets Melanie Ross, a kindred spirit who shares her love for history and adventure.

Together, they discover an abandoned storage yard owned by a reclusive Professor, which becomes their secret playground. Joined by Melanie's younger brother Marshall, and later Elizabeth, Ken, and Toby, the children create "Egypt," a detailed miniature world where they assume the roles of high priests and pharaohs, inventing elaborate rituals and ceremonies.

Their make-believe game takes a suspenseful turn when a series of eerie, real-life events begin to unfold. Throughout the story, Snyder masterfully blends elements of mystery, friendship, and the power of imagination, capturing the essence of childhood wonder.

The Egypt Game is a Newbery Honor book.

Themes in the book The Egypt Game

Imagination and Creativity:  The Egypt Game celebrates the boundless creativity of children. The elaborate and immersive world the characters create is a testament to the power of imagination in overcoming life's challenges to find joy.

Friendship and Acceptance: The book highlights the importance of friendship and acceptance, as the diverse group of children from different backgrounds come together to form a tight-knit community. Their shared love for the game teaches them to understand and appreciate each other's differences.

Mystery and Suspense: Snyder weaves a thread of mystery throughout the novel, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The children's adventures in "Egypt" are paralleled by real-life dangers, adding an element of suspense that heightens the stakes and tests their courage.

Cultural Exploration: Through the children's fascination with ancient Egypt, the book encourages a curiosity for learning about different cultures and histories. It subtly imparts knowledge about Egyptian mythology, rituals, and daily life, making it an educational experience wrapped in engaging storytelling.

Activity Ideas for the book The Egypt Game

Character Analysis: Encourage students to explore the development of key characters such as April, Melanie, and Marshall. Have them create character maps that detail each character's traits, motivations, and growth throughout the story. This activity fosters a deeper understanding of character dynamics and personal development.

Creative Writing Prompts: Invite students to write their own short stories inspired by The Egypt Game. They can create new adventures for the characters in Egypt or invent their own imaginative worlds--perhaps in ancient Rome, an African or Native American tribe, or Japan. This exercise enhances creative thinking and writing skills.

Historical Context Lessons: Incorporate lessons on ancient Egypt to complement the book's themes. Discuss Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses, and historical artifacts. You could even organize a project where students create their own "Egyptian" artifacts using craft materials.

Discussion Circles: Facilitate group discussions on the book's themes, such as the importance of imagination, friendship, and cultural exploration. Encourage students to share their thoughts and personal experiences related to these themes, promoting empathy and understanding.

Mystery and Suspense Elements: Analyze the elements of mystery and suspense in the novel. Ask students to identify key moments that build tension and discuss how Snyder uses foreshadowing and plot twists to keep readers engaged. This can lead to a broader conversation about literary techniques in storytelling.