The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle is the fictionalized story of the obelisk’s construction and its journey from Egypt to New York City.

The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle by Dan Gutman

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Obelisks, Egypt, New York City

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary of The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle:

Thanks @HolidayHouseBks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMostlyTrueStoryOfCleopatrasNeedle upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Have you seen Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park, New York City? If you have, do you know the history behind this obelisk?

Cleopatra’s Needle weighs over 200 tons, was built in 1461, and stood in Alexandria for 3,000 years before coming to the United States. We hear the story of its construction and its complicated journey to New York City through the journals of several fictional kids.

My Thoughts:

Epistolary Format

I love an epistolary format, and it works well here. Hearing the history told through kids’ voices and their journal entries allows the book (and content) to be easily accessible for the most reluctant readers. Journals help the reading seem personal and relatable. Young middle-grade readers can easily imagine themselves in the story experiencing it in real time.

Drawings, Illustrations, and Pictures

I appreciate drawings, illustrations, and pictures (even in adult books!). These graphic images aid comprehension and spark interest. This story lends itself well to a nonfiction companion read. or internet research. Even better would be to visit the obelisk in person!

Henry Honychurch Gorringe

As well as the origin and journey of the obelisk, it would be interesting to study the person who brought it by ship to America and navigated it through the streets of New York City and erected it.

Author’s Notes

Don’t miss the detailed author’s notes in which he distinguishes facts from fiction. This will aid young readers in understanding the historical fiction genre.

Lots to Discuss…

Readers of this blog know my pet peeves, and this book touches on one—- strong author opinions. I prefer that authors present the information and let me do the thinking and form my own opinions! Yes, many Egyptians were unhappy with the selling of their obelisks and there were demonstrations and protests (which were clearly and fairly presented in the story). However, the numerous “evil America” comments were noticeable. Am I too sensitive or do author opinions jump out at you?

If I were a teacher, the pros and cons of selling a country’s historical treasures could provide opportunities for thoughtful discussion. There were understandable reasons why the Egyptians needed to sell these obelisks and, yes, some citizens protested. Other countries took advantage of the opportunity which raises some questions: Is this evil? Should the U.S. (and other countries) return antiquities to their home countries? Were the Egyptian protestors right to protest? Why didn’t the government listen to the people? Read more history here: Cleopatra’s Needle.

Recommending The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle

I especially recommend The Mostly True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle for middle-grade readers and their parents who might be visiting New York City and for students who are just being introduced to ancient Egypt. Young middle-grade readers will appreciate the author’s humor and engaging story telling.

My Rating:  4  Stars

Meet the Author of The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra’s Needle by Dan Gutman

 I was born in a log cabin in Illinois and used to write by candlelight with a piece of chalk on a shovel. Oh, wait a minute. That was Abraham Lincoln.

Actually, I’m a children’s book author. I’ve written more than 170 books for kids from kindergarten up to middle school.

For the little ones, I write picture books like “Rappy the Raptor,” about a rapping raptor named Rappy, who raps.

For beginning readers, I write “My Weird School,” about some kids who go to a school in which all the grownups are crazy. Thirty-one million copies have been sold. I also write “Wait! WHAT?” a series of biographies that focus on the unusual aspects of people like Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, Muhammad Ali, and Teddy Roosevelt.

For middle-graders, I write the baseball card adventure series, about a boy who has the power to travel through time using a baseball card like a time machine. He goes on adventures with players like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and others.

For advanced readers, I write “The Genius Files,” “Flashback Four,” “Houdini and Me” and others.

If you’d like to find out more, visit my web site (www.dangutman.com), my Facebook fan page, and follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dangutmanbooks.

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QOTD:

Is this middle-grade histfic title on your TBR or have you read it?

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