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The Eye of Ra #1
The Eye of Ra
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.
278 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2020
294 people are currently reading
908 people want to read
About the author
Ben Gartner
4 books392 followersBen Gartner is the award-winning author of adventure books for middle graders. His stories take readers for a thrilling ride, maybe even teaching them something on the journey. Ben can be found living and writing near the mountains with his wife and two boys. More info at BenGartner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
February 14, 2023
4 stars - English Ebook
Quote : Thank goodness the end-of-school bell saved John and his classmates from more of their teacher’s terrible serenading. Yep, there it was. The end of fourth grade. The beginning of summer. Is there anything as wonderful as summer?-
Quote: John tapped on the face, looking for the time. It was frozen at 6:55 p.m. and 48 seconds. “Timex?” Zack asked. “Is that a form of onyx? What are those markings?-
Quote: After several rounds of intense competition and good-natured fun, the games went back into the trunk. Hatmehit and Imhotep went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Sarah could hear them talking and wondered if she and John were the subject of their discussion. The storm still raged outside, shaking the house from time to time.-
A adventure novel for kids around 10/11 years. I enjoyed it to, in between cooking and in the waiting room by the doctors.
You need a bit of fantasy and believe their gatewayes to the past. And be honest, who says not?
Quote : Thank goodness the end-of-school bell saved John and his classmates from more of their teacher’s terrible serenading. Yep, there it was. The end of fourth grade. The beginning of summer. Is there anything as wonderful as summer?-
Quote: John tapped on the face, looking for the time. It was frozen at 6:55 p.m. and 48 seconds. “Timex?” Zack asked. “Is that a form of onyx? What are those markings?-
Quote: After several rounds of intense competition and good-natured fun, the games went back into the trunk. Hatmehit and Imhotep went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Sarah could hear them talking and wondered if she and John were the subject of their discussion. The storm still raged outside, shaking the house from time to time.-
A adventure novel for kids around 10/11 years. I enjoyed it to, in between cooking and in the waiting room by the doctors.
You need a bit of fantasy and believe their gatewayes to the past. And be honest, who says not?
May 6, 2020
Look at that beautiful cover! It foreshadows an amazing adventure for two kids, overlooking a different world than that of their own under the eye of RA. Braze yourself for this time travel odyssey into Egypt, during the time the pyramids were being built, in this upgraded version of the classic 'Magic Treehouse' novel for young readers.
John and Sarah Tidwell will have to move soon to another state, something they are not exactly looking forward too. Leaving behind their friends and school and everything they know will be difficult.
On one of their last family activities before the move, John and Sarah discover a cave entrance in the mountains near their house. As inquisitive kids do, they enter the cave, of course, and find themselves transported into what must be Egypt.
Almost instantly they meet a boy named Zachariah, son of Imhotep, and make friends with his family while staying at their village home for a little while.
Learning new customs and discovering new and interesting things so different from what they know, they end up going to work with Zach's father who has worked on a pyramid for a long time.
During their stay, a mystery seems to unfold. Someone is beheading famous statues and tomb robberies are delaying the built of the pyramid. As curious as children are, John and Sarah begin to sneak around to find out who is doing this.
What they do not count on is the decoy of scorpions and a chase from crocodiles in the Nile with a close call before they make their way back home.
A fast-paced adventure that eventually leads them right back to the cave they came from and their trail of the perpetrator continues when a souvenir enters their world when it shouldn't have!
***
This middle-grade novel is highly engaging with a fast-paced plot while the mystery unfolds. Unique historical elements create interest in the different culture from long ago and garner similarities that kids can relate to or learn from. Parts of adventure, friendship, and empathy complete the novel with a unique surprise at the end.
From an adult perspective, I can see all the qualities of this high interest read that young readers would enjoy without long drawn out explanations that will move them swiftly through the story. Would I have questioned some things, naturally yes, but I think kids enjoy exactly these types of books where it isn't all spelled out for them, but they are lead by imagination as the plot whisks them away.
This is definitely a book I would recommend, plus it comes with an old Egyptian recipe that kids can try at home at the end of the novel.
Enjoy!
I received a digital copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
John and Sarah Tidwell will have to move soon to another state, something they are not exactly looking forward too. Leaving behind their friends and school and everything they know will be difficult.
On one of their last family activities before the move, John and Sarah discover a cave entrance in the mountains near their house. As inquisitive kids do, they enter the cave, of course, and find themselves transported into what must be Egypt.
Almost instantly they meet a boy named Zachariah, son of Imhotep, and make friends with his family while staying at their village home for a little while.
Learning new customs and discovering new and interesting things so different from what they know, they end up going to work with Zach's father who has worked on a pyramid for a long time.
During their stay, a mystery seems to unfold. Someone is beheading famous statues and tomb robberies are delaying the built of the pyramid. As curious as children are, John and Sarah begin to sneak around to find out who is doing this.
What they do not count on is the decoy of scorpions and a chase from crocodiles in the Nile with a close call before they make their way back home.
A fast-paced adventure that eventually leads them right back to the cave they came from and their trail of the perpetrator continues when a souvenir enters their world when it shouldn't have!
***
This middle-grade novel is highly engaging with a fast-paced plot while the mystery unfolds. Unique historical elements create interest in the different culture from long ago and garner similarities that kids can relate to or learn from. Parts of adventure, friendship, and empathy complete the novel with a unique surprise at the end.
From an adult perspective, I can see all the qualities of this high interest read that young readers would enjoy without long drawn out explanations that will move them swiftly through the story. Would I have questioned some things, naturally yes, but I think kids enjoy exactly these types of books where it isn't all spelled out for them, but they are lead by imagination as the plot whisks them away.
This is definitely a book I would recommend, plus it comes with an old Egyptian recipe that kids can try at home at the end of the novel.
Enjoy!
I received a digital copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance
Want to read
December 18, 2021Free on kindle US today 12/18/2021! Building my MG collection for my kids
April 8, 2020
Heads-up, middle grade readers! Here's a new historical fiction full of action, adventure, family, and friendships! John and his sister, Sarah, are devastated to discover their family will soon be moving from their beloved home in Colorado to a new city in Maryland. Before the big move, they're out hiking the land near their home when they come across an interesting symbol inside a cave. After rubbing their fingers over the lines in the symbol, there's a bright flash and they are suddenly surrounded by sand. Where and WHEN in the world are they? It appears they've landed right smack dab in the middle of ancient Egypt. And thus begins an unforgettable adventure that no one in their right mind will EVER believe!!
While some readers are comparing this book to The Magic Treehouse, it was definitely more mature and filled with interesting research and rich details. There were comparisons between Ancient Egypt and modern day America that are well worth discussion, such as how the days were filled with real work just to stay alive (gathering water, growing crops, building your own fire for cooking, etc.) versus having a life of convenience, today. Furthermore, in ancient Egypt only the wealthy boys went to school -- if you were poor or a girl, it wasn't a priority. I also appreciated how John and Sarah discovered they couldn't possibly explain light bulbs or ice or television or airplanes without having to teach through many layers of science, first. It was easiest and more practical to simply call it magic.
I really enjoyed this book and hope the series will continue. I also hope to cook the Tilapia Barley Stew recipe, available in the back, as it is said to be one used by the ancient Egyptians (like the characters we meet in this book).
My sincere thanks to Ben Gartner for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available in both paperback and as an e-book and it was published earlier this month. I'm happy to recommend it!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
While some readers are comparing this book to The Magic Treehouse, it was definitely more mature and filled with interesting research and rich details. There were comparisons between Ancient Egypt and modern day America that are well worth discussion, such as how the days were filled with real work just to stay alive (gathering water, growing crops, building your own fire for cooking, etc.) versus having a life of convenience, today. Furthermore, in ancient Egypt only the wealthy boys went to school -- if you were poor or a girl, it wasn't a priority. I also appreciated how John and Sarah discovered they couldn't possibly explain light bulbs or ice or television or airplanes without having to teach through many layers of science, first. It was easiest and more practical to simply call it magic.
"John opened his mouth to teach Zach about filaments and Thomas Edison and electricity, but it seemed like too much to explain. Every invention built on something else before it."
I really enjoyed this book and hope the series will continue. I also hope to cook the Tilapia Barley Stew recipe, available in the back, as it is said to be one used by the ancient Egyptians (like the characters we meet in this book).
My sincere thanks to Ben Gartner for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available in both paperback and as an e-book and it was published earlier this month. I'm happy to recommend it!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
November 13, 2020
This book was featured in the Middle Grade Madness Writer’s Showcase!
*Thank you to the author who provided me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*
This was the very definition of a slow-burn story. It wasn’t a fast-paced adventure like I expected it to be... but that actually kind of worked for the story. I wished the stakes were a little higher and the danger was a little more life-threatening but there were some action scenes that hit right. If anything this book really forces you to make connections to the characters and did that really well.
I actually enjoyed seeing the Egyptian kids more than I did seeing Sarah and John in Ancient Egypt. That was a surprising move. And there were quite a few other surprises hidden in this read!
The ending was exceptional, very poignant and uplifting. That’s what really solidified this as a 4 star book and not 3. And that epilogue—I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
*Thank you to the author who provided me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*
This was the very definition of a slow-burn story. It wasn’t a fast-paced adventure like I expected it to be... but that actually kind of worked for the story. I wished the stakes were a little higher and the danger was a little more life-threatening but there were some action scenes that hit right. If anything this book really forces you to make connections to the characters and did that really well.
I actually enjoyed seeing the Egyptian kids more than I did seeing Sarah and John in Ancient Egypt. That was a surprising move. And there were quite a few other surprises hidden in this read!
The ending was exceptional, very poignant and uplifting. That’s what really solidified this as a 4 star book and not 3. And that epilogue—I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
April 23, 2025
The Eye of Ra is a fictional, whimsical, historical tale of time travel to Ancient Egypt, and the Nile River with its rampant wildlife of crocodiles, snakes, and scorpions. Here, our main characters, John and Sarah, affectionate siblings, soon to be moving from Colorado to Maryland, find themselves entering a cavern that transports them to Egypt, involving themselves in a mystery that transcends the normal barriers of time and space.
Although it is a children's book for middle schoolers, I enjoyed it. I have a tendency to read too many hardcore horror books, so that I sometimes need something light to illuminate the doom and gloom I sequester in. Everyone has to balance these things for themselves.
There are discussions comparing post-modern culture with the ancient Egyptian way worth exploring by the author with the young characters of this story. Each believes their way is the better way, but they also can see the rationale and reasoning why things used to be a different way. There is also a recipe for a Tilapia stew at the end of the book that sounds like a tasty treat. Good book; good read.
Although it is a children's book for middle schoolers, I enjoyed it. I have a tendency to read too many hardcore horror books, so that I sometimes need something light to illuminate the doom and gloom I sequester in. Everyone has to balance these things for themselves.
There are discussions comparing post-modern culture with the ancient Egyptian way worth exploring by the author with the young characters of this story. Each believes their way is the better way, but they also can see the rationale and reasoning why things used to be a different way. There is also a recipe for a Tilapia stew at the end of the book that sounds like a tasty treat. Good book; good read.
May 30, 2022
This is basically a Magic Tree house adventure for kids who are a little bit more grown up. An easy and light read with a fascinating historic setting and a little mystery to help move the story forward.
January 1, 2020
I received a free ARC of this book from the author, to give my honest and unbiased review.
There's a lot here to love, especially for readers of the Magic Treehouse series. I really enjoyed the thought and the research that went into this, from the garments to the locale to the use of an ancient recipe and its incorporation into the story. For me, there was quite a bit of what I would think of as "over writing" but that's something I think is common and maybe even necessary in MG books, and it didn't bother my son at all (and since my son is the target audience, I'm taking into account his interpretation).
John and Sarah are kids you can root for. It's definitely aged up from Magic Treehouse, with a more complex plot, more complicated inner conflicts, and believable sibling interactions. The protagonists felt well rounded, not simply lenses through which to teach history. While my kids enjoy learning through the Magic Treehouse, the Eye of Ra gives a lot more information, woven throughout the narrative. Best of all, my reluctant reader was reluctant to put this book down.
The pacing felt a bit off to me at the end, but not so much that it wasn't enjoyable, and it could have been simply because I was expecting Magic Treehouse style pacing. Even so, the story was engaging and interesting and I loved the side characters, especially the lessons given by Hatmehit and Imhotep during the adventure.
After slight dings for frequent over-descriptions and the pacing hiccup at the end, this is a solid 4 star book for me, and I'm eager to share more from this author with my kids. I heartily recommend this to any kids with an interest in history, especially ancient Egypt.
I'm leaving the rest of the review for my 11 year old to give his thoughts-- Caution, Spoilers Ahead!
His rating - 4/5 stars.
Setting: Peaked Curiosity and Aided the Story
The setting was really fun. The idea of going to ancient Egypt was really cool and I quite like Egypt. I wish there was something about mummies. The pyramids are cool but I wish there were traps in there so maybe Aten could have gotten away easier and they would have had to avoid the traps.
Plot: Mostly clear, hard to follow in other areas
For instance, Sara was on the rolling team but then I couldn’t wrap my head around it when Sara couldn’t hear the warning about the dust storm. The wind picking up so suddenly took me by surprise. My favorite part was when John jumped over the scorpions. I didn’t know why they wanted to surround the place by guards but then when they came back, they would have seen guards and might have been accused of being the thieves. It was a bit unclear to me whether the portal stops time from the side you come from, or just when John and Sarah went through.
Characters: Unbalanced
Too much John, not enough Sarah. Sarah wasn’t as in the book, because John was really awesome with all the awesome parts, but Sarah, all she did was get guards. She did see Zach sneak out, but that wasn’t actually important. Sometimes the characters felt like real people. John didn’t feel as real as Aten did because I didn’t believe he’d jump over scorpions—I thought he got over his fears too quickly. Sarah was good and pretty realistic. Zach and their families felt really realistic and I liked Zach’s reactions to modern times. Zach was really powerful, hypnotizing the snake and then became sort of less powerful, and John got more powerful. I wasn’t so sure about the butterfly effect with all the changes they made with going back in time.
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Every night I was so excited to go back to the book because I wanted to read more. The chapters were very long, but I was still sad that it was so short. I really hope there are more books in the series.
Emotional response: Engaging/strong emotions
Because of the storyline and the characters. Even though some of the characters were unbalanced, there’s a lot of that in tons of stories and so it didn’t affect the engaging. John had big emotions that resonated with me. John felt really scared a lot of the time and unsure and that was something I really liked about the book.
Thought-provoking: New Ideas came up
Already knew a lot about ancient Egypt but I liked learning more about it and want to use ancient Egypt more in creations.
The story was awesome. I liked the tracing of the Eye of Ra.
There's a lot here to love, especially for readers of the Magic Treehouse series. I really enjoyed the thought and the research that went into this, from the garments to the locale to the use of an ancient recipe and its incorporation into the story. For me, there was quite a bit of what I would think of as "over writing" but that's something I think is common and maybe even necessary in MG books, and it didn't bother my son at all (and since my son is the target audience, I'm taking into account his interpretation).
John and Sarah are kids you can root for. It's definitely aged up from Magic Treehouse, with a more complex plot, more complicated inner conflicts, and believable sibling interactions. The protagonists felt well rounded, not simply lenses through which to teach history. While my kids enjoy learning through the Magic Treehouse, the Eye of Ra gives a lot more information, woven throughout the narrative. Best of all, my reluctant reader was reluctant to put this book down.
The pacing felt a bit off to me at the end, but not so much that it wasn't enjoyable, and it could have been simply because I was expecting Magic Treehouse style pacing. Even so, the story was engaging and interesting and I loved the side characters, especially the lessons given by Hatmehit and Imhotep during the adventure.
After slight dings for frequent over-descriptions and the pacing hiccup at the end, this is a solid 4 star book for me, and I'm eager to share more from this author with my kids. I heartily recommend this to any kids with an interest in history, especially ancient Egypt.
I'm leaving the rest of the review for my 11 year old to give his thoughts-- Caution, Spoilers Ahead!
His rating - 4/5 stars.
Setting: Peaked Curiosity and Aided the Story
The setting was really fun. The idea of going to ancient Egypt was really cool and I quite like Egypt. I wish there was something about mummies. The pyramids are cool but I wish there were traps in there so maybe Aten could have gotten away easier and they would have had to avoid the traps.
Plot: Mostly clear, hard to follow in other areas
For instance, Sara was on the rolling team but then I couldn’t wrap my head around it when Sara couldn’t hear the warning about the dust storm. The wind picking up so suddenly took me by surprise. My favorite part was when John jumped over the scorpions. I didn’t know why they wanted to surround the place by guards but then when they came back, they would have seen guards and might have been accused of being the thieves. It was a bit unclear to me whether the portal stops time from the side you come from, or just when John and Sarah went through.
Characters: Unbalanced
Too much John, not enough Sarah. Sarah wasn’t as in the book, because John was really awesome with all the awesome parts, but Sarah, all she did was get guards. She did see Zach sneak out, but that wasn’t actually important. Sometimes the characters felt like real people. John didn’t feel as real as Aten did because I didn’t believe he’d jump over scorpions—I thought he got over his fears too quickly. Sarah was good and pretty realistic. Zach and their families felt really realistic and I liked Zach’s reactions to modern times. Zach was really powerful, hypnotizing the snake and then became sort of less powerful, and John got more powerful. I wasn’t so sure about the butterfly effect with all the changes they made with going back in time.
Immersion: Didn’t want to put the book down
Every night I was so excited to go back to the book because I wanted to read more. The chapters were very long, but I was still sad that it was so short. I really hope there are more books in the series.
Emotional response: Engaging/strong emotions
Because of the storyline and the characters. Even though some of the characters were unbalanced, there’s a lot of that in tons of stories and so it didn’t affect the engaging. John had big emotions that resonated with me. John felt really scared a lot of the time and unsure and that was something I really liked about the book.
Thought-provoking: New Ideas came up
Already knew a lot about ancient Egypt but I liked learning more about it and want to use ancient Egypt more in creations.
The story was awesome. I liked the tracing of the Eye of Ra.
December 21, 2019
I had the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy. I immediately sunk into the world of the characters, hearing their individual voices and dispositions. Ben wrote a book that feels like a mature and better-researched Magic Treehouse. It is more sophisticated than that series--complete with intricate detail and an authenticity that makes reading it very satisfying. If I were still in the third and fourth grade classroom, we would've read this together and I know my students would have been very engaged.
Be prepared to travel to old Egypt and find yourself with favorite characters!
Loved it!
The author provided me with a review copy; this did not affect the content of my review in any way.
This book would be a top choice for the students in my class.
Be prepared to travel to old Egypt and find yourself with favorite characters!
Loved it!
The author provided me with a review copy; this did not affect the content of my review in any way.
This book would be a top choice for the students in my class.
December 1, 2020
Similar to a Magic Tree house adventure
January 6, 2022
Thank you to the author for giving me a free copy of this book! And thank you for his patience, as this is an extremely overdue review.
I rarely read indie books. Nothing against them, they just usually aren’t on my radar, perhaps because indie kidlit is a tiny genre. But I found out about Ben Gartner’s series on Twitter. The third book, People of the Sun, is coming out soon, so I have the pleasure of being able to read all three in quick succession… My favorite way to read novels!
Siblings John and Sarah are moving soon, and they have mixed feelings about it. During one last hike in the mountains they grew up in, they wander into a cave and find an ancient hieroglyph. When they trace it with their fingers, they find themselves teleported through time and space… To ancient Egypt!
People often compared this book to the Magic Treehouse series, which I definitely can see. While it’s aimed at a slightly older audience, this book has that same spirit of adventure and easy-to-understand story that made Magic Treehouse so popular. The characters are great, especially Zach’s parents (I love seeing kind and supportive adults like that in kidlit). The story never slows down—crocodiles, sandstorms, scorpions, and more stand in the way of our heroes. However, there are also moments that touch on more close-to-home problems for the readers, like growing up and dealing with change.
I think this story will really appeal to kids who like action-packed stories or are interested in ancient Egypt… Which is a lot of kids! I am reading Sol Invictus, the sequel, now and am looking forward to seeing what twists and turns that one takes!
I rarely read indie books. Nothing against them, they just usually aren’t on my radar, perhaps because indie kidlit is a tiny genre. But I found out about Ben Gartner’s series on Twitter. The third book, People of the Sun, is coming out soon, so I have the pleasure of being able to read all three in quick succession… My favorite way to read novels!
Siblings John and Sarah are moving soon, and they have mixed feelings about it. During one last hike in the mountains they grew up in, they wander into a cave and find an ancient hieroglyph. When they trace it with their fingers, they find themselves teleported through time and space… To ancient Egypt!
People often compared this book to the Magic Treehouse series, which I definitely can see. While it’s aimed at a slightly older audience, this book has that same spirit of adventure and easy-to-understand story that made Magic Treehouse so popular. The characters are great, especially Zach’s parents (I love seeing kind and supportive adults like that in kidlit). The story never slows down—crocodiles, sandstorms, scorpions, and more stand in the way of our heroes. However, there are also moments that touch on more close-to-home problems for the readers, like growing up and dealing with change.
I think this story will really appeal to kids who like action-packed stories or are interested in ancient Egypt… Which is a lot of kids! I am reading Sol Invictus, the sequel, now and am looking forward to seeing what twists and turns that one takes!
March 25, 2021
Read and reviewed by ten-year-old Ayan.
Hi,
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.' Review coming soon!
Happy reading!
-Ayan
Hi,
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.' Review coming soon!
Happy reading!
-Ayan
February 6, 2021
A very enjoyable tale for middle grade readers, targeted at ages 9-14. There is magic, but only in the symbol that allows time travel between modern day and Ancient Egypt - otherwise this is a straight adventure story. The characters are engaging and younger readers should relate well to them.
March 31, 2021
Such an excellent story! My students and I loved the fast pace of this book, the friendship and cooperation between the characters, and the glimpses of Egyptian history!
June 26, 2021
This was a fun little book I downloaded for free on the Google Play Books app.
I used it as a book to read in the car or when I didn't have wifi... It was handy to have around.
I think I may continue this series. It's a pretty good MG, similar to the Magic Treehouse books.
There's historical facts, adventure... The main characters are siblings.
This one takes place partially in Egypt. I love Ancient Egypt...
Time Travel is tricky... haha...
Gotta be careful not to affect the past, cause it can disrupt the future.
Never really thought about this before, but it would be really difficult to explain
modern things to people from an ancient era. We get so caught up in our modern times...
It's odd when someone has never heard of something you think of as a common place thing.
I liked the recipe in at the end of the book. That's a fun addition.
I used it as a book to read in the car or when I didn't have wifi... It was handy to have around.
I think I may continue this series. It's a pretty good MG, similar to the Magic Treehouse books.
There's historical facts, adventure... The main characters are siblings.
This one takes place partially in Egypt. I love Ancient Egypt...
Time Travel is tricky... haha...
Gotta be careful not to affect the past, cause it can disrupt the future.
Never really thought about this before, but it would be really difficult to explain
modern things to people from an ancient era. We get so caught up in our modern times...
It's odd when someone has never heard of something you think of as a common place thing.
I liked the recipe in at the end of the book. That's a fun addition.
November 17, 2020
It's a very cool book. It's a book of two kids who have an adventure in Egypt.
I liked the book a lot.
😀
I liked the book a lot.
😀
February 15, 2021
Thank you to the author for providing a copy to #bookexpedition to review.
Readers will follow brother and sister John and Sarah who accidentally travel back to ancient Egypt. Luckily, they happen upon a boy their age who can introduce them to life along the Nile. Readers learn about ancient Egypt alongside the siblings in an authentic way.
What a fun historical adventure ride! Kids will love this book. Shorter chapters, larger font, and relatable characters. A definite buy for any 3rd-7th grade classroom.
Readers will follow brother and sister John and Sarah who accidentally travel back to ancient Egypt. Luckily, they happen upon a boy their age who can introduce them to life along the Nile. Readers learn about ancient Egypt alongside the siblings in an authentic way.
What a fun historical adventure ride! Kids will love this book. Shorter chapters, larger font, and relatable characters. A definite buy for any 3rd-7th grade classroom.
April 12, 2020
"John's cheeks flared to red-hot. 'How do we get home, Sarah?' 'Don’t know.' She leaned her head back. 'But we’ll figure it out. We always do.'"
The Eye of Ra is a delightfully quick and smart magical tour of ancient Egypt, giving middle grade readers an educational survey from the perspective of a modern kid without ever feeling like a lecture. I loved the way this book got its information across. Thank you to the author for letting me have a look!
The Eye of Ra is a delightfully quick and smart magical tour of ancient Egypt, giving middle grade readers an educational survey from the perspective of a modern kid without ever feeling like a lecture. I loved the way this book got its information across. Thank you to the author for letting me have a look!
January 8, 2022
It was a good book but at times everything felt a bit too easy. I know that it's middle grade, but still. My expectations were a bit higher. But I adore the characters and will definitely be reading book 2.
April 8, 2021
The Eye of Ra follows Sarah and her brother John, who have just finished sixth and fourth grade respectively, as they discover a cave near their home while on a hike and are transported to Ancient Egypt!
The synopsis for this book says it is "for readers graduating from the Magic Treehouse series," and I completely agree! Now, I read the Magic Treehouse books with my parents when I was just learning to read as a child, so they have a very special place in my heart. The concept of The Eye of Ra is quite similar and the book perfectly provides a unique storyline for older readers.
This was such a lovely book! It was so nice to follow John and Sarah's adventure while also learning more about Ancient Egypt and valuable lessons such as friendship. We get to experience the differences in customs and everyday life in Ancient Egypt versus present-day America, which are presented in such a great, easy-to-understand way.
One little thing, I wish the way they were transported through time was explained a little further. While the level of detail was most likely well-suited for younger readers, I found myself wondering if the Eye of Ra could only transport them to Egypt, or if they had some influence on where they traveled. Either way, this story was amazing and the historical background of the inscription that allowed them to time travel was such a nice touch.
At one point in the story, Sarah smells Licorice in a mug and it says "her nose hairs curled in on themselves from the strong odor." I wish this small sentence could have been rephrased, as the odd phrasing was a little distracting. However, this was super small and did not detract from my enjoyment of the story!
I loved getting to see
All in all, this was a fantastic, well-researched book that is perfect for young readers!! Those interested in history and sweet, adventurous middle-grade stories should most certainly pick up this book! I cannot wait to read Sol Invictus and I hope there will be many, many more books both in this series and from the author!
Final Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up)
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
The synopsis for this book says it is "for readers graduating from the Magic Treehouse series," and I completely agree! Now, I read the Magic Treehouse books with my parents when I was just learning to read as a child, so they have a very special place in my heart. The concept of The Eye of Ra is quite similar and the book perfectly provides a unique storyline for older readers.
This was such a lovely book! It was so nice to follow John and Sarah's adventure while also learning more about Ancient Egypt and valuable lessons such as friendship. We get to experience the differences in customs and everyday life in Ancient Egypt versus present-day America, which are presented in such a great, easy-to-understand way.
One little thing, I wish the way they were transported through time was explained a little further. While the level of detail was most likely well-suited for younger readers, I found myself wondering if the Eye of Ra could only transport them to Egypt, or if they had some influence on where they traveled. Either way, this story was amazing and the historical background of the inscription that allowed them to time travel was such a nice touch.
At one point in the story, Sarah smells Licorice in a mug and it says "her nose hairs curled in on themselves from the strong odor." I wish this small sentence could have been rephrased, as the odd phrasing was a little distracting. However, this was super small and did not detract from my enjoyment of the story!
I loved getting to see
All in all, this was a fantastic, well-researched book that is perfect for young readers!! Those interested in history and sweet, adventurous middle-grade stories should most certainly pick up this book! I cannot wait to read Sol Invictus and I hope there will be many, many more books both in this series and from the author!
Final Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up)
*I received a free digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!*
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June 16, 2021This was such a fun book and I loved it.
This follows our two main protagonists Sarah and John who are siblings and preparing for a big move across the country, when they end up coming across a cave when they're on a hike with their parents, and get transported back to Ancient Egypt and things go from there.
The writing was pretty decent, but it took me a bit to settle in, primarily because of the pacing, but once I settled in, it was immersive, fast-paced and fun.
The plot was really fun too. And is pretty much what it says above, but when they get back to Ancient Egypt there were a lot of fun adventures there too. It was just really great in general.
The characters were fun too. Sarah and John felt well written, but also deliberately like exact opposites - one was a ride or die adventure seeker and the other was anxious timid and reserved. I felt like they were balanced well though, and it was fun to see them switch roles from time to time. I adored Zack and his family a lot as well. They were definitely big highlights for me.
Finally, the world building. This was marketed as a kind of aged up Magic Treehouse series, and I can definitely see the similarities - brother and sister duo, travel back through time and end up having to do something before going back to their time, but at the same time, it was also different. The way I like to describe it is a perfect in between series - higher than Magic Treehouse, but under Rick Riordan, but they all have similar vibes and focus on different things. One thing I particularly loved about this book is that it didn't exactly focus on everything we normally see in books like this - the gods and the pharaohs and the riches, etc. This heavily featured certain historical figures, but focused more on the day-to-day aspects of Ancient Egyptian life and even touched on a bit of the class systems of the people, and I thought that was absolutely brilliant. It still had all of the elements we're used to seeing in Egyptian inspired books, but it wasn't as heavily prominent and I just loved getting to see that different perspective.
All in all, a great start to a fantastic series and I can't want to read the second book and find out what's going to happen next!
This follows our two main protagonists Sarah and John who are siblings and preparing for a big move across the country, when they end up coming across a cave when they're on a hike with their parents, and get transported back to Ancient Egypt and things go from there.
The writing was pretty decent, but it took me a bit to settle in, primarily because of the pacing, but once I settled in, it was immersive, fast-paced and fun.
The plot was really fun too. And is pretty much what it says above, but when they get back to Ancient Egypt there were a lot of fun adventures there too. It was just really great in general.
The characters were fun too. Sarah and John felt well written, but also deliberately like exact opposites - one was a ride or die adventure seeker and the other was anxious timid and reserved. I felt like they were balanced well though, and it was fun to see them switch roles from time to time. I adored Zack and his family a lot as well. They were definitely big highlights for me.
Finally, the world building. This was marketed as a kind of aged up Magic Treehouse series, and I can definitely see the similarities - brother and sister duo, travel back through time and end up having to do something before going back to their time, but at the same time, it was also different. The way I like to describe it is a perfect in between series - higher than Magic Treehouse, but under Rick Riordan, but they all have similar vibes and focus on different things. One thing I particularly loved about this book is that it didn't exactly focus on everything we normally see in books like this - the gods and the pharaohs and the riches, etc. This heavily featured certain historical figures, but focused more on the day-to-day aspects of Ancient Egyptian life and even touched on a bit of the class systems of the people, and I thought that was absolutely brilliant. It still had all of the elements we're used to seeing in Egyptian inspired books, but it wasn't as heavily prominent and I just loved getting to see that different perspective.
All in all, a great start to a fantastic series and I can't want to read the second book and find out what's going to happen next!
November 12, 2020
John Tidewell has mixed emotions about the school year drawing to a close; while he is happy to have a break, he is not looking forward to his family’s impending move from Colorado to Maryland. His sister Sarah, however, is always looking for adventure and is excited about what the future holds. On a farewell family hike in their mountainous backyard, Sarah stumbles upon a secret that flings the two siblings across space and time to ancient Egypt, where they befriend the son of Imhotep, who is constructing the famous Saqqara pyramid. Not only must they find their way home, but Sarah and John are also key witnesses to a criminal defacing the pyramid itself. Together, Sarah and John learn about family, friendship, and survival in the captivating land of ancient Egypt.
Well-written and action-packed, this book is an excellent selection for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fantasy. Though the idea of being transported through space and time—and being able to understand the people once there—is far-fetched, the author does a good job explaining away any questions and allowing the story to move forward. This book is an excellent transition from the Magic Treehouse series to Percy Jackson, and is especially interesting to readers who enjoy learning a bit of history through the lens of an engaging story. Sarah and John have a strong relationship, and the emotions they display are believable and recognizable. The speaker alternates between the two siblings, allowing the reader a deeper look into each one’s unique feelings. A recipe is a delightful addition to the end of the book to extend readers’ engagement once the story draws to a close. This is a high caliber addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
Grades 5-7
Well-written and action-packed, this book is an excellent selection for middle grade readers who enjoy historical fantasy. Though the idea of being transported through space and time—and being able to understand the people once there—is far-fetched, the author does a good job explaining away any questions and allowing the story to move forward. This book is an excellent transition from the Magic Treehouse series to Percy Jackson, and is especially interesting to readers who enjoy learning a bit of history through the lens of an engaging story. Sarah and John have a strong relationship, and the emotions they display are believable and recognizable. The speaker alternates between the two siblings, allowing the reader a deeper look into each one’s unique feelings. A recipe is a delightful addition to the end of the book to extend readers’ engagement once the story draws to a close. This is a high caliber addition to libraries for middle grade readers.
Grades 5-7
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November 30, 2021The 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!).
Find more book reviews at pawprintsinthesink.com!
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!).
Find more book reviews at pawprintsinthesink.com!
December 26, 2020
The Eye of Ra was such a thrilling book to read! In this historical fiction fantasy, John and his older sister Sarah accidentally time travel to Ancient Egypt when the Pyramid of Djoser is being built and what ensues is a wonderful and exciting adventure to find their way back home. The friendships in this book are a delight to read, namely between Zach, Rich, and Ella. I love how Gartner explored the sibling relationship between John and Sarah - it was sweet, authentic, and wonderfully relatable! After all, aren't most siblings opposites in personalities? This is a great book not only for middle graders but also for adults who enjoy the genre since there is so much to learn from the descriptions of Ancient Egypt, the food they eat there, their way of life, the techniques used to build the pyramid. I loved the humor, the camaraderie between the characters, the struggle and eventual acceptance of the realities of moving cities that two of the characters have to cope with. I also loved the way Gartner handling the ending. I was wondering how he would tackle the effects of people portaling through time and I have to say I was impressed! This book was an absolute delight to read!
January 26, 2022
Ben Gartner is a new to-me-author. He has taken his knowledge of Ancient Egypt and Egyptian gods and woven them into an interesting time travel novel for middle schoolers. Readers will learn a bit about the time period while following siblings John and Sarah on an adventure.
The situation the characters find themselves in at the start of the story is one many pre-teens find themselves in. Dad has taken a new job and the family is in their final days of living in Colorado before moving to Maryland. A magical happening transports them to Ancient Egypt where they meet “Zack” who is all facing a move due to a job change for his father.
Gartner’s writing is very engaging as well as informative into life in Egypt when Djoser was pharaoh. I can see a possible tie-in to a history unit on Ancient Egypt.
The epilogue introduces two new characters who now live in the house Sarah and John moved out of. I’m hoping this is a preview of the next book. I look forward to reading more in Ben Gartner’s series The Eye of Ra.
I would encourage K-12 Christian School librarians to read The Eye of Ra and make their own determination on the books appropriateness f their library. I enjoyed the book but it does include references to Ancient Egyptian mythology.
I received a complimentary copy of The Eye of Ra. This is my honest review.
The situation the characters find themselves in at the start of the story is one many pre-teens find themselves in. Dad has taken a new job and the family is in their final days of living in Colorado before moving to Maryland. A magical happening transports them to Ancient Egypt where they meet “Zack” who is all facing a move due to a job change for his father.
Gartner’s writing is very engaging as well as informative into life in Egypt when Djoser was pharaoh. I can see a possible tie-in to a history unit on Ancient Egypt.
The epilogue introduces two new characters who now live in the house Sarah and John moved out of. I’m hoping this is a preview of the next book. I look forward to reading more in Ben Gartner’s series The Eye of Ra.
I would encourage K-12 Christian School librarians to read The Eye of Ra and make their own determination on the books appropriateness f their library. I enjoyed the book but it does include references to Ancient Egyptian mythology.
I received a complimentary copy of The Eye of Ra. This is my honest review.
February 2, 2021
I admit that my first draw for this book was the Colorado connection - I used to live in Colorado and I miss it.
That confession aside, I really enjoyed this book! It delivers exactly what it advertises - a fun, magical, historical, time-traveling adventure that is the next step for kids who have loved the Magic Treehouse series. It has quite a bit more detail than MTH, and requires a higher level of thinking without being abstract. This is good - abstract is hard for some concrete little elementary thinkers to appreciate.
It was refreshing to see a brother and sister that mostly got along, with parents that mostly got along and made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. Sometimes the plethora of grief fiction flooding the middle-grade market feels so, so heavy. (I totally understand the need for kids to see themselves and their different situations in stories, it just gets heavy at times.)
I think this will be a popular read for our kiddos!
That confession aside, I really enjoyed this book! It delivers exactly what it advertises - a fun, magical, historical, time-traveling adventure that is the next step for kids who have loved the Magic Treehouse series. It has quite a bit more detail than MTH, and requires a higher level of thinking without being abstract. This is good - abstract is hard for some concrete little elementary thinkers to appreciate.
It was refreshing to see a brother and sister that mostly got along, with parents that mostly got along and made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. Sometimes the plethora of grief fiction flooding the middle-grade market feels so, so heavy. (I totally understand the need for kids to see themselves and their different situations in stories, it just gets heavy at times.)
I think this will be a popular read for our kiddos!
February 2, 2021
This book is the first in a series of fast-moving time-travel adventures for middle-grade readers.
Sarah and Jack are in the midst of preparing to move from Colorado to Maryland. While on a hiking adventure, they discover a cave. Sarah cannot contain her curiosity and she entices her brother to follow her.
They enter a portal that leads them to ancient Egypt where the siblings meet Zach, the son of an architect who is building the pyramids. The threesome will encounter crocodiles, cobras and assorted dangers of the Nile as they try to uncover who is beheading statues and stealing from tombs.
Will this brother and sister find their way back to the cave entrance? How will this adventure change their lives going forward?
This book is well-written with interesting characters and plot lines. Recommended especially for readers in grades three through six.
Sarah and Jack are in the midst of preparing to move from Colorado to Maryland. While on a hiking adventure, they discover a cave. Sarah cannot contain her curiosity and she entices her brother to follow her.
They enter a portal that leads them to ancient Egypt where the siblings meet Zach, the son of an architect who is building the pyramids. The threesome will encounter crocodiles, cobras and assorted dangers of the Nile as they try to uncover who is beheading statues and stealing from tombs.
Will this brother and sister find their way back to the cave entrance? How will this adventure change their lives going forward?
This book is well-written with interesting characters and plot lines. Recommended especially for readers in grades three through six.
July 9, 2021
This is a lower middle grade portal fantasy, perfect for readers who have aged out of The Magic Tree House chapter books but aren't quite yet ready for the high-stakes intensity, plot sophistication or sheer number of pages of the Sadie and Carter Kane Red Pyramid series.
Brother and sister John and Sarah are about to move away from Colorado across the US to the northeast. They go on one last hike with their parents and discover a "cave" where there wasn't one before. Sarah goes inside, John following reluctantly, through a sound-dampening corridor and finds a symbol (the Eye of Ra) carved into the stone. She traces it. There's a pop of light, and the kids exit in ancient Egypt, during pyramid architect Imhotep's time.
They quickly encounter a young boy, Zachariah, who is none other than Imhotep' son. Zach's parents take the siblings in, and with Zach, they learn all about how the pyramids were constructed.
But Imhotep is on a tight schedule, and someone steals the bust, or head, of a vital statue. John and Sarah suspect Zach for a bit, but it soon becomes clear someone else is using the portal to spirit away artifacts from inside the Pharoah's almost-finished tomb.
I won't spoil how it ends; it's a quick read and a lot of fun for summer reading!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Brother and sister John and Sarah are about to move away from Colorado across the US to the northeast. They go on one last hike with their parents and discover a "cave" where there wasn't one before. Sarah goes inside, John following reluctantly, through a sound-dampening corridor and finds a symbol (the Eye of Ra) carved into the stone. She traces it. There's a pop of light, and the kids exit in ancient Egypt, during pyramid architect Imhotep's time.
They quickly encounter a young boy, Zachariah, who is none other than Imhotep' son. Zach's parents take the siblings in, and with Zach, they learn all about how the pyramids were constructed.
But Imhotep is on a tight schedule, and someone steals the bust, or head, of a vital statue. John and Sarah suspect Zach for a bit, but it soon becomes clear someone else is using the portal to spirit away artifacts from inside the Pharoah's almost-finished tomb.
I won't spoil how it ends; it's a quick read and a lot of fun for summer reading!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
August 24, 2021
Just at a time when pre-teen siblings Sarah and John Tidewell feel like they're growing apart and being separated from their friends due to a family move, they stumble into a cave and are transported to ancient Egypt where they find themselves pursued by pyramid poachers, sandstorms, Nile Crocodiles and the ever-present question... "How do we get back?"
Ben Gartner's story is fast, funny, and full of sibling drama/love wrapped in a time-travel construct that feels delightfully easy to immerse yourself in. It's the kind of book that makes kids want to learn more about the history behind the setting, creating a gateway for new passions and non-fiction readership. And the fact that it's book one of a trilogy? Sign me up for further adventures right away!
Ben Gartner's story is fast, funny, and full of sibling drama/love wrapped in a time-travel construct that feels delightfully easy to immerse yourself in. It's the kind of book that makes kids want to learn more about the history behind the setting, creating a gateway for new passions and non-fiction readership. And the fact that it's book one of a trilogy? Sign me up for further adventures right away!
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