==> Gold Recipient, Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence==> Silver Medal in Children’s Adventure, 2020 International Readers’ Favorite Awards==> Award-winning Finalist, Next Generation Book Awards==> 1st Place in both Children’s Adventure AND Grades 4th-6th, 2020 TopShelf Awards==> Grand Prize Winner, Colorado Author Project==> 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction … Winner, Colorado Author Project
==> 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Award
Exploring a mysterious cave in the mountains behind their house, John and his sister Sarah are shocked to discover they’ve time traveled to ancient Egypt!
Now they must work together to find a way back home from an ancient civilization of golden desert sand and a towering new pyramid, without parents to save them. The adventures abound—cobras, scorpions, a tomb robber, and more! The two kids have to trust each other, make friends who can help, and survive the challenges thrown at them . . . or be stuck in ancient Egypt forever.
For readers graduating from the Magic Tree House series and ready for intense action, dive into this middle grade novel rich with meticulous historical detail.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
”An engaging, eventful, history-based fantasy with realistic protagonists and an enjoyable, twist-filled plot.” —Kirkus Reviews
*****
”Fun, action-packed read, with a healthy dose of historical facts. Kids will be hooked on this one!” —Adam Perry, author of The Magicians of Elephant County
*****
”This book was awesome!“ —10-year-old book blogger Emmie from Fantastic Books and Where to Find Them
*****
“I LOVE this! A fun adventure story . . . exciting . . . hilarious . . . The plot pacing was great, especially for a middle grades novel. I work with 3rd-5th graders, and I think this book would do an excellent job of holding their attention. Such a great ending!” —Megan S.
*****
“Skillfully written, clever, suspenseful, flowed effortlessly, had a hard time putting it down.” —Jim C.
*****
“This is exactly the type of adventure story that kids go for, the setting is fantastic. It is obvious that you are experienced in writing adventure tales.” —Fay C.
*****
”Fits right in with what good middle grade is all about. The pacing was fast, which is a great way of captivating the reader and I liked the ending a lot.” —Bethany V.
*****
”Interesting and exciting. You really captured the essence of a middle grade story. It had over the top action and suspense that really capture the imagination of someone this age. I thought this was an incredibly fun story and one I would’ve absolutely devoured as a kid.” —Juliette T.
*****
“This book would be a top choice for the students in my class. They’d eat up the adventure! Your tense scenes are so well-written. I didn’t see the twist in the plot coming. What a great surprise!” —Elaina B.
*****
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The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner is a captivating tale about two siblings who find a cave that has a portal to Ancient Egypt.
Finding a way to Ancient Egypt, helping to build a pyramid, and someone beheading statues? Will John and Sarah figure it out?
John and Sarah
John and Sarah are the main characters in this adventure. He is the youngest sibling at ten years old and she is the oldest at twelve years old. It is the start of summer vacation and around their last few days in Colorado. They live in Maryland. John will be starting fifth grade and Sarah will be starting seventh grade. Sarah wants to explore the cave that transports them to Ancient Egypt and she wants to stay there. John doesn’t want to do either.
What I like about John is that he is the responsible one, who doesn’t like doing things they shouldn’t. I think it’s cool that he likes to cook. What I like about Sarah is that she reminded me of me when I was that age, wanting to explore things likes that. I also love that she likes Egypt. Sarah and John are pretty cool kids that learned a lot on this adventure.
Five Stars for The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner
Mr. Gartner has written a book that reminds me so much of the Magic Treehouse series books that I used to read when I was little. It has adventure, mystery, and a new way to look at history. I was so engrossed in this novel from the first time I picked it up until I had to make myself stop reading last night to get some sleep. Therefore, this book is getting five stars and a huge recommendation.
Don’t forget to check out the recipe called Tilapia Barley Stew that John and Sarah had with not only the Ancient Egyptians but also their parents.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Eye of Ra by Ben Gartner.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
The Eye of Ra has great world building, pulling the reader in from the first page and introducing the protagonists. We learn about John and Sarah’s world in present day Colorado, their relationships, and their family dynamic. Their sibling relationship is strained after Sarah explores a cave on a whim, and they’re magically transported to ancient Egypt. As they try to find their way back home, their self-perception and relationship with one another will change forever.
The primary main characters are likable, relatable, and I especially love how the sibling bond is portrayed realistically. John and Sarah’s relationship isn’t perfect, they don’t always get along, and they often feel guilty for their missteps. They also discover that their coping mechanisms, which are mostly harmless at home, have a higher risk in ancient times. It’s much harder to stomp off in a huff when Nile crocodiles, a swarm of scorpions, and a frightening hooded tomb raider are wandering around!
I love how educational content is incorporated into the plot without being overbearing. This book teaches history organically; showing modern kids in an ancient setting is the ideal way to teach about a subject without sounding teach-y. The educational aspects are expertly woven into the plot and feel natural.
The Eye of Ra is a treat to read and sure to be a hit with young readers (and enjoyable for caregivers reading aloud, too!).
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What a great adventure with two sibs who are different as chalk and cheese. Loved the dynamics as they navigate ancient Egypt and work together with the local kids to strive to get home. A nice touch of mystery adds an extra layer to the story. Excellent sensory details make the setting come alive! For fans of adventure series and time travel, this story is spot on. Can’t wait to dive into the next one!
My son read this book and wrote this review.
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to visit ancient Egypt? Or ever imagined time traveling? If yes, then this book is going to take you on a time-travel adventure that you will never forget.
In ‘The Eye of Ra,’ Sarah and John are on a hike when they stumble upon a mysterious cave. Sarah instinctively enters, followed by John.
After exploring the cave, they expect to return to Colorado, but instead, they surprisingly time-travel to ancient Egypt! Join Sarah and John in this time-travel novel as they search for the portal to lead them back home and uncover the clues to unravel a baffling mystery.
The themes in this book include family relationships, friendship, and perseverance. The characters of this book are very realistic, and the pacing is amazing, making the story flow well with no boring or confusing parts.
I recommend this book as a read-aloud for 6+ and as a reader for 9+.
I give this book 5/5 stars as it’s an engaging and delightful read.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series, ‘Sol Invictus.’
unusual story line that keeps you entertained
Entertaining and kept the interest of my early teen nephew
This is a young interest book and is great for a chapter book ages 9 – 12.
Wonderful debut I plan on sharing with my daughter. Moms, pick up a copy for your kids so you can read it later!
The story begins with the the Tidwell’s, who live in Colorado, preparing for their impending move across the country to Maryland. Younger brother John is particularly upset at the prospect of missing the company of his best friend.
While the Tidwell’s are on a final family hike through the mountains before the move, the siblings stumble upon a cave. The adventure really takes of when the hieroglyphs they discover at the back of the cave magically transport them across space and time to ancient Egypt. We are talking 5,000 years ago during the construction of Egypt’s first step pyramid. A full century before they starting building the great pyramids of Giza.
We go on a journey with the fun loving siblings as they make friends with kids their own age and become immersed in the culture of ancient Egypt. Ben Gartner ( @bgartnerwriting ) does a great job of bring ancient Egypt to life for young readers as they learn about the jobs, the food, the gods, and the deadly creatures of the era. The author also manage’s to seamlessly mix a number of real historical figures into the plot. The suspense of their trip is heightened when Sarah and John find themselves in the middle of a good old fashion mystery during their travels.
Packed with clear and highly descriptive language, the book will spark the imagination of young readers while sneakily teaching them about one of mankind’s greatest civilisations. Based upon detailed testing with my on 9 year old middle grade reader, I’d say the 143 page book is ideal for 9-10 year old middle grade readers. Don’t worry if you and your middle grade reader become hooked on Sarah and John Tidwell, there are already two more books in the series that are just waiting for you.
Going back in time allowed the reader to explore another time, another culture. Good job, if a bit trite at times. For younger readers, not so bad.
Not realistic