(4) 4-6 Talibah finds Cairo disappointing--until she and her brother visit an archaeological site. There they uncover a scheme to expunge female pharaoh Hatshepsut from Egyptian history. Though the writing is occasionally clunky with historical exposition, the story pays consummate attention to detail and plotting. Occasional sketches of sites and artifacts are included throughout. An author's note helps sort fact from fiction.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(4) K-3 Historical Biographies series. Although the information is at times confusingly presented, these brief, formulaic biographies of important rulers of ancient Greece, Egypt, Mali, and China provide good starting-off points for report writers. The books are liberally illustrated with maps and well-reproduced color images of art and artifacts of the subjects' eras. Reading list, pronunciation guide, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical Biographies titles: Alexander the Great, Hatshepsut, Mansa Musa, and Qin Shi Huangdi.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Joseph Daniel Fiedler. Author and illustrator have re-created, from carefully researched (if limited) evidence, the life and times of Egypt's only female pharaoh. In accenting the extraordinary achievement of Hatshepsut, Andronik handles speculation well, often prefacing her comments with a conditional perhaps. Archaeologists continue to piece together Hatshepsut's story, and Andronik makes their story no less intriguing. Bib.

Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2001

(3) YA Rulers and Their Times series. These books combine biographical information about the rulers with historical and cultural information about their countries and eras. A selection of literary excerpts and primary source documents is also included. These pieces don't always correspond to the era in question but will expand readers' grasp of the cultures. The open design includes photos of carvings, mosaics, and paintings. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt