A Newbery Honor winner!
Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu’s abuse is by changing his destiny. But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu’s room and he knows his luck−and his destiny−are about to change.
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"The kids and I read this together to accompany our history studies. It started off a little slow, but redeemed itself quickly. It is a heartwarming tale of heroism, true character, and strength through times of struggle. I loved the message of this book!"
— Cendy (4 out of 5 stars)
“We are given a most worthy hero in Ranofer, one who struggles with his own fears and ideals, who smarts under his own cowardice, but who finds the power to rise to his own strength…An excellent choice.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I am currently in 7th grade, and this is very hard to read. I don't even understand all the words being spoken by Ranofer. And I only had to do the Audiobook because I kept falling asleep while reading the book. I do not think that it is a bad book, but I do understand that kids my age will not be as interested in the book as the parents forcing them to read it. I feel as if it is a good try to engage kids in older books with more difficult language but overall, it's kind of boring for a twelve-year-old to sit down and read a book that every time you don't understand a word you have to look it up. maybe for older people it's fun. "
— Vivianne Miller, 8/28/2023" I think this book is cool because Ranofer finds a goblet and makes it into a golden object.Also Ranofer say that he stole the goblet. That is a mystery and that is why I like this book. "
— Jessica, 2/20/2014" This is a novel we are reading in school, it's not that exciting at all. "
— Brooke, 2/18/2014" I remember I read this a really long time ago, in sixth grade. And I remember I really liked it. I would love to go back and read it someday! "
— Sara, 2/17/2014" Required reading for 6th grade XD I don't really remember much about it. "
— Justin, 2/8/2014" We read this for our kid's book club this month. It was good for my kids to be exposed to another era, a different culture and a lot of new vocabulary. But it was a little too slow and too violent for my young readers. "
— Britt, 1/30/2014" It's a good story about a very likeable character, Ranofer. It's not the most thrilling book I've ever read, but I felt like I learned something about Egypt and that it would be appropriate for a younger reader. "
— Brielle, 1/28/2014" Loved the descriptions really great overall book "
— Quin, 1/28/2014" It was okay, but it was kinda boring in some parts. It starts to get good at chapter ten. "
— Georganna, 1/27/2014" This book was okay. I did like it because at times the storyline would pick up some speed and something good would happen but a lot of times I was left thinking, Why did this happen? What does this have to do with the story? I think that it was a little to old-fashioned if you know what I mean. "
— Charlotte, 1/10/2014" Great book! Read this in preparation for my daughter's world history study this year. "
— Valerie, 1/9/2014" er... just.. no.... bad not good just no you know what just don't read it .... "
— Chloe, 1/4/2014" Great ancient history read aloud. We enjoyed it. "
— Amy, 1/2/2014" The kids really enjoyed this book. It kept their attention as I read it aloud. "
— Lisa, 1/1/2014" I remember thinking that the boy was stupid.. "
— Cecile, 10/20/2013" History Year One (Ancients). A favorite for our year one history studies, I'll be reading it for a third time to the little boys. "
— Kendra, 10/3/2013" It was great I read it for my history class and I couldn't put it down. It was sad at first but it ended well. "
— Schylar, 8/7/2013" I liked this book's insights to the Egyptian culture of craftsmen. I also liked the mystery in it. "
— Kyrie, 7/26/2013" A favorite from childhood...still as good! "
— Sarah, 5/24/2013" Another great historical fiction book set in Egypt. This book gives a wonderful overview of the different working clasees and customs of Egypt. "
— Michelle, 5/15/2013" This book was okay and very predictable. "
— Clare, 5/4/2013" It was a bit suspenseful and engaging and I enjoyed it. That said, there is some abuse in the book and some of what it was like to live in Egypt as basically a slave. I didn't like that part of it. "
— Launna, 3/12/2013" This was the worst book i have EVER READ. and trust me. I read pretty boring books. But this is the WORST ONE EVER! "
— Sadie, 3/10/2013" Another Sonlight read-aloud and one of our favorites this year, so far. Ancient Egypt timeframe. "
— Joy, 1/22/2013" It was a phenomenal book. I read it through LEAP in the fifth grade, and loved it!!! A good read, but hard to get into because the author has to explain the egyptian culture. Highly Recomended "
— Danae, 1/10/2013" I, for one, really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of trickery and deception, and it was just plan great. I read this with my class, and my classmates also loved it. "
— Josie, 10/8/2012" I really liked it and I always felt bad for Ranofer. "
— Lizzy, 10/7/2012" This is a very good book, I like it a lot. (I like most ancient Egypt books) "
— Jana, 9/23/2012" My momma read this aloud to us years ago. "
— Heather, 9/3/2012" I loved this book when I was a kid. The rating is based on how much I remember enjoying it back then. "
— Audrey, 8/22/2012" this is a sad book. plus it didnt get exciting until the last three chapters. i hated it. it was too predictable. "
— Adeline, 8/18/2012Eloise Jarvis McGraw (1915–2000) was a writer for more than fifty years and was the author of more than twenty children’s books. She has won many honors and awards for her books, including the Newbery Honor for her books Moccasin Trail, The Golden Goblet, and The Moorchild.
Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.