Protagonist and Central Conflict: In ancient Egypt, 12-year-old Ranofer longs to become a goldsmith like his deceased father. His abusive half-brother thwarts his dream and forces him to work in a stonecutting shop, but when Ranofer discovers that Gebu is stealing treasures from tombs, he hopes that exposing this crime to the authorities will set him free.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Child abuse by older sibling
Eloise McGraw, Author
Bio: 1915-2000; born in Houston, Texas; grew up in Oklahoma City; began writing stories at a young age; earned her BA in art from Principia College in Illinois; studied drawing and sculpture at various universities; published short stories for children in magazines including Cricket and Jack and Jill; wrote several books set in ancient Egypt and based on extensive research; working with her daughter Lauren Lynn Wagner, wrote three books set in Frank L. Baum’s world of Oz; won the Edgar Award for her mystery novel A Really Weird Summer (1977)
Other Works: Moccasin Trail (Newbery Honor; 1952); Mara, Daughter of the Nile (1953); Merry Go Round in Oz (1963); The Striped Ships (1991); The Moorchild (Newbery Honor; 1997)
Awards: Newbery Honor Book (1962)
Unlock this Study Guide!
Join SuperSummary to gain instant access to all 83 pages of this Study Guide and thousands of other learning resources.