Read and loved this as a kid; it was one of the books I’d return to again and again, along with Walk Two Moons, Ella Enchanted, etc. Reading it as an adult, I was immediately sucked back in to the world of these friends and the funny but then frightening things that happen in “Egypt” ...

I think I first read this in English when studying Egypt in Social Studies in middle school. I enjoyed it then and it holds up while re-reading it as an adult and parent of kids in junior high.

Even though this was written in 1967, I felt like it was a story that could take place today. The main characters were filled with the creativity and imagination that I wish I would have had as a child. In fact, if I was still 10 years old, I'm sure I would have been inspired by this book to make my own Egypt. This book was recommended to me by my 11 year old son who also loved it.

Revisiting this on audio was an absolute treat.

Social politics
Child neglect
Child MURDERS

Damn, children's books did not fuck around back in the day.

What a wonderful book! I read this book for #middlegrademarch in which I had to read a book published in the decade of my birth and I did even better and read this book that was published the year I was born, 1967, and just loved it. The story follows a group of kids that get together to play the Egypt Game outside the back of an old second hand shop. They add an altar, lots of older items and even come up with their own hieroglyphics so they can write in secret to each other. So much happens in this book that I do not want to give away spoilers but I will say that there is a child killer in the area! I highly recommend it.

Infinity stars for this beautiful book. It never disappoints me. One of my favorite books of all-time!

If you were ever a kid who played imaginary games... READ THIS BOOK.

I like how she captures kids pretending intertwining the plot with a girl abandoned by her mother, learning to make friends, and a murder mystery.

This held up so much better than I was expecting it to! Lots more diversity than I remembered, especially for a book from the 60s. Loved the characters, the creepy vibes, and some of the funny moments that landed differently as an adult compared to as a kid.

This book is one of my favorites that I have read! This book showcases things about Egypt while keeping modern problems and such in the story. An example of this is that they go to School and that they have to actually make or buy the props and the story provides explanations for such. It also has the good twist of the crime and mystery aspect that’s also shown throughout the book. I would highly recommend this book!

This book has weaknesses. It lacks for details, especially in regards to Egypt. And because of the nature of the "game", you want that. You want to know some of the cool things the kids learn about Egypt. You want to see more of the rituals they made up in lieu of the real thing. We just never get enough of any of that.

But there is no doubting the compassion and wisdom with which Keatley Snyder draws children. Without a doubt there is magic in the imagination of these twelve years olds who get so caught up in a world they've created. And to have that world of imagination running wild contrasted to the brutal and ugly "real" world outside of theirs in such a horrific way feels absolutely daring...at least it did when I first read this book as a child. Not the smallest achievement is that Keatley Snyder diversifies her cast, the kids are all of various ethnic backgrounds...and it doesn't really seem to matter. They still behave like kids, much wiser than they must seem to adults, much the same way it seemed I and my friends were when we were nine. Despite its flaws, this is one of my favorite books.

It was interesting reading this as an adult. First of all, my how times have changed. So much playtime after school, with no grownups anywhere to be found. Also, it was kind of scary - like, realistic scary, and it was almost too much. It also dragged a bit, I thought it was nearly over 4 or 5 times before it finally ended. Overall, probably a 3.5, but barely.