The Heart Scarab

Brothers, Renni and Mahu, are complete opposites. Renni, the younger, is an apprentice painter, learning to decorate tombs in the Valley of the Kings whilst Mahu looks for opportunities to make money. When Mahu hatches a plot to rob the tomb of a famous general, Renni reluctantly agrees. He steals the heart scarab from the General’s sarcophagus, leading to the unleashing of dead spirits, magic and mayhem. Renni and Mahu must return the missing scarab before Anubis comes not only for the general’s soul, but theirs as well.

‘The Heart Scarab’ is a pacy adventure with lots of action. Saviour is well known for his excellent historical fiction, effortlessly lacing exciting stories with details from whichever period he is writing about and this, the first in the new ‘Nile Adventures’ series, is rich with information about the ancient Egyptians, their lives and time.

Set in the tenth year in the reign of Ramesses II, the story would make an excellent text for using to support work on the Ancient Egyptians in upper KS2, either as a class story or as a key text to inspire and develop work. The story lends itself to plenty of writing in role, research, non-fiction writing and poetry as well as being perfect for developing reading skills. The story benefits from a section of additional information at the end of the book, including instructions for playing Senet.

The story is atmospheric and includes some dramatic scenes with the angry ghost of the dead general and the curse he lays on the boys. Having stolen the heart scarab and set the train of events in motion, they must now take responsibility for their actions and make things right again. Jo Lindley’s black and white illustrations throughout the book add much to the text.

The children’s adventures are set to continue in The Crocodile Temple, the second book in this series!

The Heart Scarab Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Jo Lindley

Maverick Publishing ISBN: 978-1848868144