The Wadjet Eye: A Fast-Paced Historical Novel About Danger and Intrigue in Ancient Egypt for Kids

by Jill Rubalcaba

A historical novel set in 45 B.C. Damon's medical training under the Pharaoh's own physician didn't prepare him for his mother's last illness--or for the adventure that follows. Damon must travel from Alexandria all the way to Spain, where his father is fighting in Caesar's army, to deliver the news of his mother's death to the father he hardly knows. Soon the quiet, studious Damon and his best friend, the soldierly Artemas, are caught up in danger and intrigue--from shipwreck and shark attack to the political maneuverings of Cleopatra, Cicero, and Caesar. Fast-paced and suspenseful, this compelling historical novel combines page-turning excitement with a well-researched portrait of the ancient world.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Ancient History, Egypt, Young Adult, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2000

About the author

Jill Rubalcaba is an American writer.
She was born in Boston in 1953, and attended the University of Vermont. She obtained a degree in mathematics and intended to become a teacher. However, teaching jobs were scarce, so she worked as a model for a year to pay rent. She landed a teaching job a year later.
She says that she writes because of her endless curiosity about the world.

Reviews

[Danelle Our-Wolves-Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review in progress

[Grady Ormsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandson Nathan will enter middle school next week. The sixth graders in White River Junction, Vermont, were assigned The Wadjet Eye by Jill Rubalcaba as a summer reading project. He and I read it aloud to each other, alternating chapters.
The Wadjet eye or eye of Horus is an Egyptian hieroglyph often used to symbolize sacrifice, healing, restoration, and protection. Indeed, these ideas are all part of the thematic make-up of the novel. The story is set in 45 B.C. and the action begins in Alexandria, Egypt, moves on through Rome and ends in Munda, Spain. The protagonists are the teenagers Damon, a medical student, and his friend Artemas whose ambition is to be a soldier. Damon’s father is a centurion in Julius Caesar’s army campaigning in Spain. When the boy’s mother dies, Artemus suggests that Damon deliver the tragic news to his father in person. “It’ll be an adventure.” And adventure it is, involving a shipwreck, a shark attack, a rescue from Cleopatra, an encounter with Cicero the orator, a gruesome day in the Coliseum and travel on horseback of almost 1500 miles. It is a story of courage, devoted friendship, familial love and reconciliation.
The book is formatted with juvenile readers in mind. There is a section at the end with notes providing context about the history, geography, culture, politics and important figures of the time. There is also a helpful glossary
Sit down with a grandchild or any kid. Read a book together. It’s a rewarding experience.

[David Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a children’s book, really good! It doesn’t try to do too much, though there are plenty of outlandish adventures.

I’m not sure my Mennonite students would appreciate the attention given to Egyptian spirituality, but this is a great way to introduce people to the world of ancient Egypt/Greece/Rome.

[Alison Jenks]

Homeschool read aloud. Combines ancient Rome with Julius Caesar, Cicero, and Cleopatra as well as shipwrecks and rescues. It was historical and a fun glimpse into the past.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly gruesome for no reason which I’m usually okay with but it was done tastelessly. It went real downhill as soon as they left Egypt.

[Carmen D · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wadjet Eye, by Jill Rubalcaba, is a story about friendship and family. It takes place in 45 B.C, during the time of Caesar. Damon and his friend, Artemas, must travel from Egypt to Greece to find Damon’s father after his mother dies. This epic journey shows the bond between Damon and the loyal Artemas, where Artemas never leaves his side until they get to Greece. He continues to stay with him, after many threats and life endangering situations. The way Jill wrote this book is amazing. All of the characters and conditions are painted onto the page. Every scene she describes becomes visible in your mind; all of the characters are easily envisioned. On the other hand, Damon’s character was underdeveloped, I couldn’t tell many things about his personality when the book finished. When Damon finally finds his father, they make a beautiful connection, which makes the story complete. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes learning about the Egyptians, and maybe even Greece. It is a very good book, and is worth the read.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what the Wadjet Eye has to do with the story presented in this book. I remember it being mentioned a bare few times, not even by name but by description.

The relationship between Damon and Artemas was good. They were very different people but you could see how they complemented each other. They continuously helped each other throughout the book and neither would have likely succeeded in this journey alone.

I also enjoyed the portrayal of Cleopatra, Cicero, and Julius Caesar, as it gave the reader a sense of how people back then saw these people. They adored Cleopatra, distrusted Cicero - though his rhetoric could rally them, and practically worshiped Caesar. The picture The Wadjet Eye paints of Egypt and Rome at the time is grand, showing research and understanding. It's a book written for younger readers - middle grades - but it was enjoyable for me as an adult as well. Though not the most intriguing or leveled text I've ever read, I don't regret picking it up.

[Khalid · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wadjet Eye by Jill Rubalcaba is a book about a boy named Damon and his friend Artemas who go on an adventure. They want to go look for Damon's father to tell him of his mother's death. They cross oceans, loose their ship, make a raft and come across many more obstacles to finding Damon's dad. The two characters are strong caring. Artemas shows he is strong because he takes charge and tells Damon we need to go find your father. While on the journey, Artemus fights off sharks, saves a child and protects his friend. Damon, the other character, a doctor,is caring. When his mother dies, he wants to mummify her correctly. Also he feels it is important to let his father know she has died. I think the book was really enjoyable to read. The book was adventurous. Their journey kept me interested. The characters were strong and caring, somebody I would like to be!

[Sarah Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damon a normal medical student in ancient Egypt finds his mother dead from an illness. With other doctors thinking its the plague, Damon has to embalm his mother himself.He must also tell his father of his mothers death. The only problem is he hardly knows his dad and he is fighting with caesar in Spain. Damon and his friend Artamas travel to Spain to bring news. On the way they jump overboard so as to escape a whirlpool. They are set adrift and sharks start to attack them and their driftwood. Cleopatra's ship saves them and they get to talk to her in person. Damon finds his father on the battle field and his medical skills are put to the ultimate test.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Wadjet Eye by Jill Rubalcaba is a book that takes place in ancient Egypt after a boy named Damon loses his mother. Damon knows this is news he needs to tell his father, but his father is currently in Spain in Caesar's army. Damon has only seen his father a few times. Damon and his friend, Artemis encounter Cleopatra and even Caesar on the journey to find Damon's father. The Wadjet Eye was a pretty good book my only complaint is that the title doesn't have a lot of meaning to the story as the "Wadjet Eye" is only mentioned about once or twice.

[David Burgos]

The Wadjey Eye was about a guy named Damon, who needed protection if he was to survive a treacherous journey to his father. It was just about him sailing on boats, walking on land, until he reached is fathers place. There are no drinks or food on board and they thought they were going to die so mostly everyone was jumping overboard. They were trying to get saved they were getting attention from other ships, but no ship was kind enough to stop and help them out.

[Brent]

In this story set in 45 BC, Damon's medical training under the Pharaoh's own physician didn't prepare him for his mother's last illness, or for the adventure that follows. From shipwreck and shark attack to the political maneuverings of Cleopatra, Cicero, and Caesar, this historical novel combines page-turning excitement with a well-researched portrait of the ancient world.
For ages 8-12.

$5.95, softcover. Available at Carlos Museum Bookshop -
http://carlos.emory.edu

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran across this title while planning for school next year. This is a young adult novel based in Caesar's time, about a young man looking for his father who is in the Roman army. The author does a good job of keeping the plot moving, and creates interesting characters. I think my daughter will enjoy this.

[Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at the end of the New Kingdom of Egypt: Damon's mother has just died and he needs to find his father who is a Roman soldier in a different country. He and his friend, Artemis, dodge a vicious shark attack and a deadly wirlpool and escape a political plot and save tons of Roman soldiers just to find his father that he hasn't seen in years. This is set in the time period of Cleopatra.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with Damon a young medical student,is weeping over the death of his mother.Then together with with his friend Artemas,Damon sets off to europe to find his dad ,a soldier in ceasars army. they face challenges along the way.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of adventure, excitment, and, at one point, sharks. I read it in class, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. If you have not read it and you like Egyptian mythology, READ THIS BOOK.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damon is a young medical student living in Ancient Egypt. His father is in Spain serving in the Roman army lead by Caesar. When Damon’s mother dies, Damon decides to go find his father to tell him. Damon’s friend Artemas wants to be a soldier and insists going with him.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the historical details and versions of Cleopatra and Caesar, I thought the two main characters were flat. Also I did not like how the boy from the Roman ship got eaten by sharks. Overall a fun read but a bit too grisly for my 11 year old.

[Peas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into it but in the middle it started comming out its a really good book!:)

[Alexia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok, I had to read it for school. It has adventure in it and has a happy ending but it was not one that I would have read on my own.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written historical fiction that kids should find interesting.

[Ashley Yue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it wasn't a very good book.