Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. 1976. 215p. Atheneum. $14.95 (0-689-30006-9).
Gr. 4-6. When April's mother sends her away to live with her grandmother, April is sure that the university town will not be nearly as exciting as Hollywood. Boy is she wrong! After meeting her neighbor Melanie they discover an interest in imagination games and ancient Egypt. This leads them to create the Egypt game, with Melanie's little brother Marshall, in an empty lot by the antique and curio shop. As more people are added to the game, tragedy strikes. A child is murdered! Now no one can play outside. Will the Egypt game ever be played again? Will the murderer be found? These and other questions are answered in The Egypt Game. This book is good for kids who like to read. Zilpha Keatley Snyder captures the world of children making their own fun in her engaging prose. Although today's children may be surprised to see kids having fun without video games and television, they will enjoy the adventure and mystery.