Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This Newbery Honor book has a lot going for it—gorgeous celebration of imagination, diverse friendships, and Egyptian mythology woven into an elaborate game. The problem? It pulls a bait-and-switch that genuinely upsets parents and kids.

It starts as this lovely story about neighborhood kids creating their own Egypt in a junkyard, then gradually becomes a suspense thriller about a child murderer. One main character is nearly kidnapped. The fear is real and sustained, and multiple parents on Common Sense Media say their kids were blindsided by how dark it gets.

Add to that the fact that this is a 1967 book that honestly reads like a 1967 book—slow pacing, dated language, and a style that makes modern kids check out. Some will love the mystery elements, but many will find it boring until it suddenly gets scary.

If your kid loves vintage mysteries and can handle genuine suspense, this might work around age 10+. But if you're looking for a pure imaginative play story, this isn't it. The Egypt Game has teeth.

Age Fit

Best for confident readers ages 9-13 who can handle mystery/suspense elements and won't be too frightened by the child murder subplot. The imaginative play will appeal to younger kids, but the dark turn makes it too scary for most under 9. Teens will likely find it dated and slow.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Models genuine friendship across differences (race, family situations) and celebrates imaginative play. The diverse group of kids cooperates and builds community together. However, the book does include a child murder subplot and attempted kidnapping that creates genuine fear, which tempers the otherwise positive social-emotional content.

Imaginative

88

This is fundamentally a book about the power of imagination. Kids create an elaborate fantasy world with costumes, ceremonies, hieroglyphics, and secret codes. They transform a junkyard into ancient Egypt through pure creative will. The imaginative play is detailed, sustained, and central to the entire story.

Safe

62

Multiple parent reviews on Common Sense Media express concern about the dark turn this book takes. There's a child murderer in the neighborhood, an attempted kidnapping of one of the main characters, and genuine suspense/fear elements that catch readers off guard. One parent called it 'too scary' and 'like a horror' book. The book starts as innocent imaginative play and gradually becomes creepy and frightening. No graphic violence, but the threat is real and sustained.

Enriching

75

Newbery Honor book that explores Egyptian history and mythology, friendship across cultural differences, and the value of imaginative play. Kids learn about hieroglyphics, ancient rituals, and problem-solving. However, the entertainment value is mixed—Common Sense Media reviews show some kids found it boring and dated, while others appreciated the mystery elements. The 1967 original shows its age.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates elaborate imaginative play—kids create an entire Egyptian world with costumes, ceremonies, and secret codes
Diverse friend group (including interracial friendships uncommon in 1967 children's lit) working together cooperatively
Introduces Egyptian mythology and history in an engaging way, with hieroglyphics and ancient rituals
Newbery Honor book that explores what happens when kids are given freedom to create their own adventures

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What to Watch For

The book starts sweet but gets genuinely scary—there's a child murderer in the neighborhood and an attempted kidnapping of a main character
Multiple parents report their kids found it unexpectedly dark and creepy, almost like a horror book by the end
Written in 1967 and it shows—pacing and style feel dated to modern readers, some kids find it boring
The mystery/suspense elements may be too intense for sensitive readers under 10

Conversation Starters

"If you could create your own imaginary world like the Egypt Game, what would it be? What would the rules be?"
"The kids in the story come from really different backgrounds—how do you think that made their game more interesting?"
"Were you scared during the parts with the murderer? How did the author make you feel that fear?"
"Why do you think the kids kept the Egypt Game secret from adults? Would you have told your parents?"

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