Hatsheput: The First Woman Pharaoh

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-Attractive biographies, with clear print and numerous color photos and reproductions. However, many places (over 30 in Rameses) referred to in the texts are not noted on the maps, and some of the glossary definitions (dynasty, vizier) confuse more than they clarify. Hatshepsut has much more on daily life than Rameses, but is also less interesting and suffers from awkward, choppy writing. Rameses, on the other hand, assumes readers are familiar with the Exodus story; doesn't discuss Abu Simbel, his greatest achievement; and refers only briefly to modern-day discoveries and events. Chapters are devoted to both pharaohs in Russell Roberts's Rulers of Ancient Egypt (Lucent, 1999). Miriam Greenblatt's Hatshepsut and Ancient Egypt (Benchmark, 1999) is well written, but ascribes feelings and emotions to Hatshepsut. The best books on Egyptian pharaohs for this audience are, unfortunately, still to come.-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.