The Pharaoh's Secret by Marissa Moss is a wonderful fiction novel meant for young readers. I normally wouldn't read books written for middle school students but I decided to read this book simply because of the Egyptian theme. So no matter your age, I would give this book a try!
The Pharaoh's Secret follows the main character, 14-year-old Talibah who is on a trip to Egypt with her father and younger brother Adom. Shortly after meeting their fathers old friend Rashid, the two siblings get caught up in a mystery involving an Egyptian pharaoh named Hatshepsut. Not only is Talibah trying to solve the mystery of Hatshepsut, she is also pondering about her mothers mysterious death just a few years earlier. I certainly enjoy the character of Talibah despite her age because she is curious, intelligent and maybe even a little stubborn. The characters have depth and grow along with the story. This is always important in any book or story for me. Despite her age, Talibah is very relatable for any reader.
From, mummies to creepy artifacts to talking sphinxes, this book has it all. You really feel like you are in Egypt while Moss describes what Talibah sees and feels around her and you get a sense of what Egypt might have been like in ancient times. If you enjoy mysteries then this is a good, easy read to consider. Or if you know young readers who enjoy mystery and history, this is a perfect story for them to get lost in.
