(3) 4-6 Feisty Cleopatra, savior of the Nile galaxy, returns for a fifth graphic novel in which readers learn the surprising backstory of her nemesis Octavian. The action is fast and furious, per usual, with Cleo dodging a murder charge, unmasking P.Y.R.A.M.I.D. spies, and grappling with her strange new power: she glows hot-pink before emitting powerful energy bursts. Cinematic, jewel-toned panels get the sci-fi-meets-ancient-Egypt vibe just right.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 In book four, Cleopatra and Antony venture to the snowy and desolate planet Cada'duun in search of a weapon, the Golden Lion, before evil forces claim it. History and science fiction meld in an action-filled graphic-novel adventure with riveting panel progression and a rich color palette. Readers inspired by Star Wars' Rey will embrace the female-centric intergalactic story.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(3) 4-6 Snarky teenaged Cleopatra's quest for the Sword of Kebechet and the time tablets continues as she seeks to divine her role as purported savior to her new alternate time and universe. This third graphic novel is not a standalone volume, but series fans will continue to dig its unique meld of sci-fi, cultural, and historical references. Fast action scenes flow across the panels in riotous colors.

Reviewer: Jessica Bushore

(4) K-3 National Geographic Kids Readers series. This leveled text geared toward "fluent readers" profiles the last queen of Egypt. Short chapters cover specific topics, including life in ancient Egypt, Cleopatra's early years, and political upheavals. The pages are crammed with text, archival reproductions, and photos. "Words to Know" and "That's a Fact!" boxes and sidebars with related information are part of the mix. A quiz is appended. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Five months after being zapped from ancient Egypt to the distant future in book one, Cleo, the hot-headed "savior of the galaxy," tries to nab a thief, discover more about the prophecy she's fulfilling, and navigate new friendships--all while attending school (and, ugh, the winter dance). Panels of crisp, jewel-toned art showcase the graphic novel's blend of action and humor.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(2) 4-6 Dynamic illustrations and campy humor combine in this sci-fi graphic novel. A sassy teenage Cleopatra is yanked from first-century B.C. Egypt to the Nile galaxy thousands of years in the future. She's hailed as a messiah, destined to crush the evil Xerx. Maihack's time-warped Egypt is portrayed in crisp line art, muted jewel tones, and striking perspectives to create riveting panels.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2014

(4) YA Illustrated by Sandra Suy. Vintage-clothing-lover Louise's third time-traveling adventure takes her to the Old Hollywood set of Cleopatra; then, inadvertently, to ancient (and dangerous) Egypt, where the real Cleopatra is her boss. There, Louise sees some spectacular sights and fashions, as demonstrated in Suy's full-page color illustrations. The plot is formulaic and the writing lackluster, but fans will enjoy learning about these two stylish periods. Reading list.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) 4-6 The life and times of Egypt's iconic last pharaoh, including her lavish upbringing, war with the Roman Empire, and her romantic encounters, is detailed in this jam-packed volume. The historical facts are supplemented by extracts from an imaginary memoir. The illustrations, flaps, and text boxes are laid out in a scrapbook-like design; unfortunately, foldouts often obscure surrounding graphics or text.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Text by Marianne Meyer Bianchi. Undersea archaeologist Goddio seeks artifacts on the ocean floor. Detailed here are his expeditions in Egypt, searching for ancient artifacts, and the Philippines, looking for remains from the 1600 San Diego. Background information on the areas and their historical significance provides context before specific finds, along with techniques for underwater archaeology, are discussed. Plentiful photos, maps, and sidebars supplement the text.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Royal intrigue and cutthroat politics abound in this work of historical fiction. Ruler and seductress Cleopatra relates the events of her life from age ten through twenty-two; an epilogue summarizes the ensuing years and her death. Brief chapters and confident first-person narration provide readers with an intimate (highly fictionalized) view of one of history's most fascinating, charismatic, and mysterious female regents. Timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames series. Illustrated by Peter Malone. Profiling some of history's most notorious women rulers, this series employs crisp writing along with an appealing mix of dramatic paintings and photographs (mainly of places and items). The main texts deliver plenty of gory details; most volumes include sidebars highlighting cultural specifics. It's a little all over the place, but the series, with its sharp hook, should appeal to a diverse readership. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames titles: Agrippina, Catherine de' Medici, Cixi, Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, and Mary Tudor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(2) YA Cleopatra Selene, daughter of Cleopatra VII, is taken to Rome when Egypt is invaded and her parents die. There she carves out a life for herself, confronts hatred, finds love, and always seeks the power to reclaim Egypt as her rightful land. The large, complex story is an intelligently written and stately meditation on fate, free will, and political power.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2011

(4) YA Shecter begins with the premise that although everyone "from Shakespeare to Hollywood" has turned Cleopatra into a silly vixen, she was actually a heroic, brilliant woman. The teen-aimed narration is engaging and accessible but becomes a little grating (e.g., "Little bro and his advisors had a cow over being left behind"). Many artistic reproductions and maps help elucidate Cleopatra's history. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tori Funkhouser

(3) 4-6 Sterling Biographies series. Rich with facts, these biographies go beyond basic information and personal mythologies to reveal the lasting achievements and human foibles of six incredible women. Each thoughtfully designed volume draws readers in, vividly bringing to life the various places and times, from Joan of Arc's fifteenth-century France to Amelia Earhart's twentieth-century America, through informational sidebars, photographs, and document reproductions. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biographies titles: Helen Keller, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, and Joan of Arc.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(4) 4-6 Great Queens series. These biographies tell the story of each queen and her role in shaping historical events that affected her subjects. The texts, though choppy, are informative, highlighting important milestones in each ruler's life. Useful sidebars, photographs, reproductions, and illustrations add further context. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Queens titles: Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Catherine the Great.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) YA Ancient World Leaders series. These books delve into historical, social, and political theories specific to each ancient world leader and, where applicable, to today. The texts, though informative, can be dry, and they sometimes jumble the details when explaining military campaigns and battle tactics. Archival photographs and sidebars break up the pages; additional maps, battle plans, and/or illustrations would have been helpful. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Ancient World Leaders titles: Xerxes, Cyrus the Great, Cleopatra, Hannibal, and Darius the Great.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by M. P. Robertson. Cleopatra comes to life through fictional journal entries written by her young handmaid. The pages also include brief captionlike facts and cartoon-style illustrations that feature Cleopatra's personality and romantic relationships with Rome's leaders. An eighteen-page nonfiction section follows, providing a straightforward overview of life in ancient Egypt. Despite the gimmick, this two-pronged approach works. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read: Young Princesses around the World series. Illustrated by Nonna Aleshina. Princess Elizabeth loves riding her pony, but she can't get him to jump the stone wall (Elizabeth). Young Cleopatra warns her father about her sisters' betrayal and saves his life (Cleopatra). Holub's accessible easy-reader tellings showcase the future queens' feisty personalities. Pictures that are stiff and sometimes muddy illustrate most pages. Though supposedly based on true stories, both books lack documentation. Timeline. Review covers these Young Princesses around the World titles: Cleopatra and the King's Enemies and Elizabeth and the Royal Pony.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) YA World Leaders series. This comprehensive biography places Cleopatra in historical context by providing background on the Egyptian pharaohs, the Ptolemaic dynasty, Roman culture, and the political machinations of figures such as Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian. The text paints a vivid, balanced portrait of Cleopatra, but some pictures and maps bear limited connection to the text and there are some minor mistakes. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Abby Harper Kingsbury

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Spanning two millennia, this unlikely trio of female notables is featured in volumes that adequately cover their lives in uninspired prose. The texts occasionally detour to include brief information boxes containing background material. The books are illustrated with serviceable photos--in both black and white and color--and reproductions. Cleopatra includes a time line; Estefan has a discography. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta