Carlos Summer Reading List

Below you will find fascinating reads about the ancient world to get wrapped up in this summer! The books are available through the DeKalb County Library and the Carlos Museum Bookshop.

Egypt & the Ancient Near East: Ages 4-8, 9-12, 12 & up

Ancient Americas: Ages 4-8, 9-12

Africa: Ages 4-8, 9-12

India: Ages 9-12, 12 & up

Ancient Greece & Rome: Ages 4-8, 9-12, 12 & up

Egypt & the Ancient Near East: Ages 4-8:

Tut's Mummy: Lost... and Found

by Judy Donnelly ($3.99)

Illustrated in full color with black-and-white & full-color photos. "Beginning with the death of Tutankhamen, the book moves forward to archaeologist Howard Carter's discovery of the tomb. Information about ancient Egyptian life is interspersed in a clear, smooth fashion throughout. A good way to get readers into non-fiction." - Booklist. 

Mummies (All Aboard Reading)

by Joyce Milton ($3.99)

Along with offering new readers a lot of information, this is one of the most attractive easy-to-reads around. Milton explains in clear, crisp language the theory and process of mummification. Swan's intricate cut-paper collages portray modern-day and ancient Egypt; intricately cut pieces of paper are turned into masks and mummies and ornate decorations. The occasional photograph adds interest but jars a little. Considering at how early an age children are fascinated by ancient Egypt, this will make a welcome introduction that they can read themselves. Ilene Cooper - Booklist

Magic Tree House: Mummies in the Morning

by Mary Pope Osborne ($3.99)

Jack and Annie don't need another mummy. But that's what they get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Egypt, where they come face to face with a dead queen--and her 1,000-year-old mummy! Will Jack and Annie be able to solve the puzzle, or will they end up as mummies themselves?

Tutankhamen's Gift

by Robert Sabuda ($7.99)

Small and frail, Tutankhamen was an all but ignored member of the royal family of the great Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III. At the school of the menoi, or tutors, he did not excel at physical activities with the other royal princes. Keeping to himself, he observed and admired the work of his father's craftsmen, who built glorious temples to Egypt's many gods. Then Amenhotep III died and the unpopular reign of Tutankhamen's brother ended in mystery. Who now would be pharaoh? Could it be a boy of only ten?

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

by James Rumford ($6.95)

In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt's ancient hieroglyphs. James Rumford introduces the remarkable man who deciphered the ancient Egyptian script and fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process. Stunning watercolors bring Champollion's adventure to life in a story that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

I am the Mummy Heb-Nefert

by Eve Bunting ($7.00)

Clad with flowing linen robes, adorned with jewels, pampered by servants, Heb-Nefert, with her royal husband, led a life of leisure and joy on the banks of the Nile long ago. Now she lies, a mummy, in a glass case for museum visitors to marvel at, and she reflects, telling us the story of her life in ancient Egypt. 30 pages, with full color illustrations.

Egypt & the Ancient Near East: Ages 9-12:

The Wadjet Eye

by Jill Rubalcaba ($5.95)

In this story set in 45 BC, Damon's medical training under the Pharaoh's own physician didn't prepare him for his mother's last illness, or for the adventure that follows. From shipwreck and shark attack to the political maneuverings of Cleopatra, Cicero, and Caesar, this historical novel combines page-turning excitement with a well-researched portrait of the ancient world.

The Curse of King Tut's Mummy

by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld ($3.99)

When the pharaohs of Egypt died, they were mummified and buried in pyramids and tombs with all their riches. As centuries passed, the tombs were looted and the pharaohs' gold stolen. But then Howard Carter found the greatest Egyptian treasure trove of all, with all the riches of King Tut's mummy untouched. But did the amazing find come with a deadly curse?

The Egypt Game (Yearling Newberry)

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder ($6.50)

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, Melanie and April decide it's the perfect spot for Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians instead of two. After school and on weekends they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it's just a game, until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Egypt in Spectacular Cross-Section

by Stephen Biesty ($9.98)

The year is 1230 B.C., during the reign of Ramses the Great in ancient Egypt. Follow the thirty-day voyage of the eleven-year-old Dedia and his father as they sail down the Nile River.Travel along with father and son as they visit the bustling harbor at Elephantine; the massive stone quarry at Gebel el-Silsila; the temples at Karnak; underground tombs in The Valley of the Kings; a funeral and mummification; the step pyramid at Saqqara; and Ramses' lavish palace at Piramesse. Quite a journey!

Gilgamesh the King

by Ludmila Zeman ($8.95)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them. He falls in love with Shamhat, a singer from the temple, and he follows her back to Uruk. There, Enkidu, the "uncivilized" beast from the forest, shows the evil Gilgamesh through friendship what it means to be human.

The Last Quest of Gilgamesh

by Ludmila Zeman ($8.95)

In his final quest, Gilgamesh, still mourning the death of his dear friend Enkidu, sets out to find the key to immortality. He must fight ferocious serpents and wild lions. He travels through bitterly cold caves, across scorching deserts, and over the fatal waters of the Sea of Death. Finally he arrives at the palace of Utnapishtim, the only human who knows the secret of immortality. Utnapishtim sets Gilgamesh a test to stay away for six days and seven nights, but Gilgamesh fails. Finally, Enkidu comes from the underworld to show Gilgamesh true immortality: the king will be remembered for his good deeds, courage, and love for his people.

The Revenge of Ishtar

by Ludmila Zeman ($8.95)

In this second volume in the Gilgamesh trilogy, Enkidu joins Gilgamesh in the quest to slay Humbaba, the monster who has attacked the city and caused great destruction, including the death of the beautiful singer, Shamat. Gilgamesh and Enkidu successfully slay the monster and in so doing, Gilgamesh attracts the attention of the goddess Ishtar. In rejecting her advances, he incurs her revenge and an attack by the Bull of Heaven. Enkidu manages to kill the bull, but is slain by Ishtar, striking at the bond between the two friends. Shattered, Gilgamesh vows he will destroy the last monster: death.

Egypt & the Ancient Near East: Ages 12 and up:

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

by Elizabeth Payne ($5.99)

The astonishing culture of ancient Egypt thrived for more than 3,000 years along the banks of the Nile. But when its cities crumbled to dust, Egypt's culture and the secrets of its hieroglyphic writings were also lost. This book explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to reclaim the history of Egypt's people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.

Pharaoh's Daughter (Newberry Honor Recipient)

by Julius Lester ($6.99)

A fictionalized account of the Biblical tale in which a Hebrew infant, rescued by the daughter of the Pharaoh, passes through a turbulent adolescence to eventually become a prophet of his people while his sister finds her true self as a priestess to the Egyptian gods. Born into slavery, adopted as an infant by a princess, and raised in the palace of mighty Pharaoh, Moses struggles to define himself. And so do the three women who love him: his own embittered mother, forced to give him up by Pharaoh's decree; the Egyptian princess who defies her father and raises Moses as her own child; and his headstrong sister Almah, who discovers a greater kinship with the Egyptian deities than with her own God of the Hebrews. Told by Moses and his sister Almah from alternating points of view, this stunning novel by Newbery Honor-author Julius Lester probes questions of identity, faith, and destiny.

Ancient Americas: Ages 4-8:

Abuela's Weave

by Omar Castaneda ($7.95)

A Guatemalan story about intergenerational trust, love, and independence, this book introduces children to the culture of Guatemala through the story of a little girl selling her grandmother's beautiful weaving at the public market. Illustrated throughout with paintings of authentic Guatemalan scenery, giving life to the country's radiant landscape and bustling city streets.

How to Be an Aztec Warrior

by Fiona Macdonald ($14.95 Hardback, $5.95 Paperback)

Imagine living in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and studying to become a successful warrior. This "primer" for young readers describes the lives of these ancient fighters, from the training they received to the weapons they used, and their combat strategies. The book also discusses warfare as a religious duty, with prisoners sacrificed to the gods. An appealing combination of user-friendly text and attractive illustrations makes it easy for readers to prepare for the job interview at the end of the book.

The Shaman's Apprentice: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

by Lynne Cherry, Mark J. Plotkin ($7.00)

For thousands of years, in the jungles of the Amazon, shamans have passed their wisdom of the medicinal values of rain forest plants from one generation to the next. The Shaman's Apprentice tells the story of a Tirio Indian boy who dreams of one day being the tribal shaman, and how he and his people learn the importance of their own knowledge about the healing properties of the rain forest.

Ancient Americas: Ages 9-12:

Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of the Ancient Quiche Maya

by Victor Montejo ($12.95)

One of the few Maya documents to survive the Spanish conquest, the Popol Vuh describes the creation of the Maya universe and of humans. It tells the tale of the Hero Twins, who defeated the gods of the underworld in a ball game, and details the legendary history of the Quiche Maya rulers until their imprisonment and torture by the Spanish. Equivalent to the Bible and the Greek and Roman mythologies, the Popol Vuh is the essential text of Mayan culture. Here, vivid images and captivating text will fascinate children.

The Hero Twins: Against the Lords of Death

by Dan Jolley, illustrated by David Witt ($8.95)

In this new title in the Graphic Myths and Legends series of comic book mythology, two young boys, the Hero Twins Hunahpu and Xbalanque, were blessed by the Mayan gods with special powers. But their incredible skill at playing Pok-ta-Pok, the Maya ball game, angers the lords of Xibalba, rulers of the land of the dead. When the lords challenge them to a Pok-ta-Pok game in Xibalba, the twins know they must use all of their powers and cunning to defeat the lords’ many challenges.

Trail of Tears

by Joseph Bruchac ($3.99)

John Ross, chief, and the great Cherokee Nation do not want to leave their land, but they have no choice. Today is their first day on the Trail of Tears.

Africa: Ages 4-8

Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa: and Other Talking Drum Rhymes

by Uzo Unobagha; Julia Cairns ($7.95)

In the spirit of Mother Goose, Off to the Sweet Shores of Africa and Other Talking Drum Rhymes is a colourful collection of original African inspired ryhmes. Fun to read aloud, these playful rhymes conjure West African village life. As in classic nursery rhymes, the verses are inhabited by charming characters who impart simple wisdom or evoke sure silliness, making this collection not only distictively African, but wonderfully universal. Exquisitely detailed illustrations by Julia Cairns, an engaging author's note and glossary make this enchanting collection from Africa's sweet shores to ours.

The Magic Gourd

by Baba Wague Diakite ($16.95)

With characteristic energy and spirit, Diakite retells a tale from his native Mali and illustrates it with painted, boldly patterned art created from ceramics. Searching for food for his famine-stricken family, Brother Rabbit pauses to free a chameleon from a thorn bush, and, in return, receives a magic bowl that fills with anything upon request. After a greedy king seizes the bowl, Chameleon gives Rabbit another gift--a rock that wreaks havoc on anyone who does not speak to it with respect. Rabbit uses the rock to regain his prize--and by choosing to leave the royal treasure behind, is able to reform the king. Bordering each ceramic design is a different "mud cloth" textile pattern, the meaning of which the artist explains in a lengthy postscript. Diakite closes with a discussion of the story's themes and antecedents, an introduction to praise songs, and a glossary of the Bambara exclamations and expressions that punctuate the story. Despite the pounding rock, this is less violent than many European variants of the tale; it actually focuses more on kindness than on trickery. John Peters, Booklist

Kente Colors

by Debbie Chocolate ($6.95)

A joyful ode to kente celebrates the beauty and tradition of this West African fabric that is now so popular in America. Rhythmic verse shows the special meaning of colors and patterns while glorious paintings show kente as it is used and worn in Ghana, from babies' blankets to dancers' capes. An author's note further explains kente's rich symbolism. Readers young and old will delight in discovering the connections between African culture and the colorful cloth we love to wear.

A Very Special Kwanzaa

by Debbie Chocolate ($3.99)

Remembering how the kids made fun of his dashiki, beads, and sandals the previous year, Charlie is reluctant to participate in the present year's Kwanzaa Festival at school, until he remembers the deeper meaning of Kwanzaa.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa

by Penda Diakite ($16.99)

A child loses her tooth while on a visit to Mali. After she hides it under a calabash, she waits for the African Tooth Fairy to replace it with a chicken. The strength and enduring warmth of her African extended family emerge, vividly depicted by ceramic-tile illustrations framed in borders decorated with everything from the sun, moon, and stars to eggs, chickens, feathers and vegetables.

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions

by Margaret Musgrove ($6.99)

Ashanti to Zulu presents 26 African tribes, from A to Z, and lets children learn something about the culture and customs of each one. Aside from being a learning experience, the book is visually eye-popping; and the book won a well-deserved Caldecott Medal for the best illustrated children's book of 1977.

Sunjata: Warrior King of Mali

by Ron Fontes & Justine Fontes, illustrated by Sandy Carruthers ($8.95)

Weak and silent, young Sunjata is unable to walk, unable even to pull a bow, but a prophesy foretold that his mother would bear a son who will become the mansa of all the Mande people—the greatest king ever to rule. Sunjata sets out to find the strength and courage to fulfill his birthright and to overcome the plotting of a rival queen and the sorcery of the terrible tyrant Sumanguru.

National Geographic Investigates: Ancient Africa.

by Victoria Sherrow ($17.95)

From Benin to Mali and from the empire of Ghana to Songhai, archaeologists have searched Africa for years, looking for clues to the history of the African people. These ancient artifacts - the drystone walls of Great Zimbabwe; the shawabtis, or carved figurines, created by Nubian artisans - help scientists today to piece together the puzzle of Africa's past.

India: Ages 9-12

Hanuman: based on Valmiki's Ramayana

by Erik Jendresen and Joshua M. Greene ($7.95)

This lavishly illustrated retelling of the Ramayana, one of India's most sacred texts, recounts how the great monkey army helped Prince Rama save Princess Sita from a foul demon king.

Buddha

by Henry Holt, Demi ($21.95)

Many centuries ago, a child was born to a king and queen in the land that is now India. The young prince, Siddhartha, was raised in the greatest luxury, sheltered from all pain and ugliness. But one day, Siddhartha left the palace and saw, for the first time, human suffering and death. He knew then that he must relinquish everything to discover the Truth of life. Demi's exquisite illustrations add a mystical dimension to this biography of an extraordinary spiritual leader. Full color.

What You Will See Inside a Hindu Temple

by Dr. Mahendra Jani and Dr. Vandana Jani ($17.99)

From the dependable What You Will See Inside series, this introduces the beliefs and practices of the Hindu religion. The book opens with a traditional Sanskrit word of greeting, Namaste ("I salute God within you"), setting the respectful, inviting tone of the text, which leads readers into a temple. The book explains what can be seen there and discusses Hindu beliefs, worship practices, scriptures, celebrations, blessing ceremonies, and family shrines in home.- Booklist

Vacation Under the Volcano - Magic Tree House #13

by Mary Pope Osborne ($3.99)

Jack and Annie race against time to find an ancient library in Pompeii before it is buried in ash!

Hour of the Olympics - Magic Tree House #16

by Mary Pope Osborne ($3.99)

Jack and Annie are off on another adventure! This time they are sent to ancient Greece, where a very important event is taking place. Join them as they race against time and witness the very first Olympic games!

Ancient Greece and Rome: Ages 9-12:

Pompeii: Lost and Found

by Mary Pope Osborne ($16.95)

The famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius that snuffed out life in Pompeii and buried the town has long been a fascinating moment in history for children. This book presents that dramatic story with Mary Pope Osborne's brief text and with stunning frescoes created by Bonnie Christensen, using the same colors, style, and technique as the ancient frescoes unearthed at Pompeii. In addition to the destruction of Pompeii and the rediscovery of the ruins nearly 1,700 years later, the book shows what daily life was like in this prosperous Roman town in the year 79 A.D.

The Mystery of the Roman Colosseum

by Carol Marsh ($5.95)

In this historical mystery series, Mimi, a children's writer, is working on a new mystery set in Italy. When her granddaughter Christina discovers a puzzling advertisement in an Italian newspaper, suspicious men in black trench coats start popping up. Follow Mimi and her family and friends as they explore Italy in the middle of Carnivale and solve the mystery of the Roman Colosseum.

Julius Caesar's Sandals

by Gerry Bailey and Karen Foster ($9.95)

The Roman general's sandals find their way into the hands of Digby and his sister Hannah during a trip to an antiques market. The life and times of Julius Caesar are explored in this latest title in the Stories of Great People series, including a biography of Caesar.

The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War

by Emily Little ($3.99)

The Greeks, fighting the Trojans for ten years, wonder how they will ever storm the walled city of Troy. Find out how their clever trick changed the outcome of the war.

The Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan (17.95 Hardback, $7.99 Paperback)

The escapades of the Greek gods and heroes get a fresh spin in the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, about a contemporary 12-year-old New Yorker who learns he's a demigod. Perseus, aka Percy Jackson, thinks he has big problems. His father left before he was born, he's been kicked out of six schools in six years, he's dyslexic, and he has ADHD. What a surprise when he finds out that that's only the tip of the iceberg: he vaporizes his pre-algebra teacher, learns his best friend is a satyr, and is almost killed by a minotaur before his mother manages to get him to the safety of Camp Half-Blood--where he discovers that Poseidon is his father. But that's a problem, too. Poseidon has been accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt, and unless Percy can return the bolt, humankind is doomed. Riordan's fast-paced adventure is fresh, dangerous, and funny. Percy is an appealing, but reluctant hero, the modernized gods are hilarious, and the parallels to Harry Potter are frequent and obvious. Because Riordan is faithful to the original myths, librarians should be prepared for a rush of readers wanting the classic stories. Chris Sherman, Booklist.

Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan ($7.99)

In this second adventure in Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy is anticipating the end of seventh grade and a summer at Camp Half-Blood with kids who are the offspring of Greek gods and mortals. He dreams that his pal Grover, a satyr, is in danger. After monsters attack in his school gym class, Percy and Tyson, a homeless kid, are picked up by Annabeth, a half-blood friend, and rushed to the camp, which is under attack. The tree that guards the camp is dying, and Chiron, the activity director, has been dismissed. Another dream reveals that Grover, whose peril is increasing, is on the same island as the legendary Golden Fleece, which may be the cure for the troubled camp. With the help of Hermes, Percy and his pals set off to the Sea of Monsters, where they encounter legendary dangers. Riordan's clever mix of classical mythology, contemporary teen characters, and an action-packed adventure will bring new readers to the series. Diana Herald, Booklist.

The Titan’s Curse

by Rick Riordan ($7.99)

Just after finding Bianca and Nico, two newly discovered half-bloods, Percy, Grover, Annabeth, and Thalia end up trapped between a helicopter and a manticore. Artemis and her Hunters save the day, but Annabeth disappears over a cliff; then Artemis rushes off to hunt a dangerous monster. Back at Camp Half-Blood, the Oracle foretells that Artemis must be rescued and makes a prediction that bodes ill for one of their number—but which one? Percy, who is supposed to remain behind while others pursue the quest, follows in search of the missing Annabeth. Their adventures range widely across the U.S., taking them to locales that include Washington, D.C., and the deserts of the Southwest and pitting them against the usual assortment of colorful adversaries. The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series is built around a terrific idea—that the half-mortal offspring of Greek gods live among us, playing out struggles of mythic scale—and Riordan takes it from strength to strength with this exciting installment, adding even more depth to the characters and story arc while retaining its predecessors' nonstop laughs and action. Diana Herald, Booklist

The Battle of the Labyrinth

by Rick Riordan ($7.99)

As an incoming freshman, Percy isn't expecting his high school orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends will set out on a quest through the Labyrinth-a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.

The Last Olympian

by Rick Riordan ($17.99, Hardback only)

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos's army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan's power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

Troy

by Adèle Geras ($6.95)

The siege of Troy has lasted almost ten years. Inside the walled city, food is scarce and death is common. From the heights of Mount Olympus, the Gods keep watch. But Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is bored with the endless, dreary war. Aided by Eros's bow, the goddess sends two sisters down a bloody path to an awful truth: In the fury of war, love strikes the deadliest blows. Heralded by fans and critics alike, Adèle Geras breathes personality, heartbreak, and humor into this classic story.

Ithaka

by Adèle Geras ($6.95)

Many years have passed since the end of the Trojan War, and Penelope is still waiting for her husband, Odysseus, to return home. The city of Ithaka is overrun with uncouth suitors from the surrounding islands who are vying to win Penelope's hand in marriage, thereby gaining control of the land. When a naked, half-drowned man washes up on the beach, everything changes. . . . Told through the eyes of Klymene, a young girl who is like a daughter to Penelope-and who longs for more than friendship from the young prince Telemachus-Ithaka captures the quiet strength and patience of a woman's enduring love for her husband and the ensuing chaos that threatens all as Penelope is pressured to remarry.