At a glance
The Egypt Game
Children's mystery
The Egypt Game
Book 1 of the Game series
240 pages · First published 2009
When April Hall moves in with her grandmother in a California university town, she doubts she will find much in common with the other children in her apartment building. But Melanie Ross shares her fascination with ancient Egypt, and together they transform a deserted storage yard behind an antique shop into their own secret Egyptian kingdom. Soon four more children join their imaginative world of costumes, invented ceremonies, hieroglyphics, and mysterious oracles, while the elderly shopkeeper nearby becomes an object of suspicion. When the murder of a neighborhood child frightens the community and forces the group to suspend its games, the children begin to realize that real danger may be closer than any mystery they have invented. Combining friendship, imagination, and a genuinely unsettling mystery, this Newbery Honor-winning classic is ideal for middle-grade readers who enjoy secret clubs, ancient Egyptian history, unusual characters, and suspenseful adventures.
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Jump to the pours ↓Spiced Sorrel Punch + Pharaoh's Gold
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
References to the murders of two neighborhood children, including the discovery of a young girl's body; the killings are not graphically depicted. An attempted abduction in which a child is grabbed and restrained, resulting in bruises and other injuries. Frightening nighttime situations, suspicion of a murderer, and children secretly entering an isolated storage yard against adult instructions. Pretend worship of ancient Egyptian gods, invented rituals, consultation of an oracle, and discussion of blood sacrifice and other disturbing ceremonial practices without those violent acts being carried out. The attempted mummification of a dead bird and references to animal death. Parental absence, family difficulties, and grief. Some mild language references and a dated association between mental illness and violent crime.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Spiced Sorrel Punch
Ruby-red hibiscus and warming spices recall Egypt's traditional karkade, a fitting companion to the ancient culture that inspires April and Melanie's secret game.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Steep hibiscus tea with ginger and cinnamon, then chill. Stir in orange juice and simple syrup and serve over ice.
- Garnish: Orange wheel.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
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Highball glass ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Pharaoh's Gold
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A golden blend of honey, lemon, and bitters evokes the children's imaginary Egyptian kingdom, where playful ceremonies soon give way to a dangerous mystery.
What you'll need
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water) ↗
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- ice
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- Add bourbon, lemon juice, honey syrup, and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled, then strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Rocks glass ↗Cocktail shaker ↗Set up the bar cart
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