Gods, magic, and monsters

   Ancient Egypt is taught in so many social studies classes. I can easily recall learning about the Egyptian gods as well as the documentaries I remember watching in class. What better way to refresh your memory and learn something new then by reading a great book? The Red Pyramid is the first book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. Just like his previous, blockbuster series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Riordan delivers another great series that effectively combines mythology, humor, and adventure.

Description: Since their mother’s death, Sadie Kane has lived in London with her maternal grandparents while her older brother, Carter, has traveled the world with their father, Julius Kane, a renowned African American Egyptologist. In London on Christmas Eve for a rare family get together, Carter and Sadie accompany their dad to the British Museum, where he blows up the Rosetta Stone and summons an Egyptian god. Unleashed, the vengeful god overpowers and entombs Julius, but Sadie and Carter manage to escape. Initially determined to rescue their father, but as they begin to understand their hidden magical powers and family secrets, they must take on the ancient forces bent on destroying mankind.

Review: The Red Pyramid has everything that I loved about the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series: a great cast of characters, a great adventure story, and humor all woven together with a complex layer of mythology. You are learning about the myths without the boring context of a textbook and you are witnessing the story first hand. The first-person narrative shifts between Carter and Sadie, which not only gives the novel a balanced presence of both genders, but also an interesting dual perspective on how both were raised. The reader is also able to witness the tension between the two siblings who are more like strangers at the beginning of the story. The chapters are short and hilariously titled. The plot is fast pacing right from the start. The story arc is complex and deals more with issues of family, loyalty, and courage. I did, however, have to slow down my reading pace a bit trying to grasp the Ancient Egyptian mythology because I'm not well versed in it, but nonetheless I did learn something new. The Red Pyramid is sure to satisfy fans of the Percy Jackson series and I look forward to reading more about this series. The second book is expected to come out Spring 2010.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, English
Words of Caution: There are some scary, fantasy violence that is PG rated. I think this book is appropriate for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book, try:  The Ankh of Isis by Christine Norris