Pyramid of Secrets: Nebka, Giza, Egypt, 2517 BC

My Story: Boys

by Jim Eldridge

It's 2517 BC and Pharaoh Khafra is building a great pyramid at Giza to rival those built by his predecessors. He is also making plans for what will become one of the most famous and iconic monuments in history - the Sphinx. But Khafra has enemies and division in his workforce. Among the labourers in his employ is one 13-year old boy Menes. Menes has his own reasons for hating the pyramid and wanting to rebel. But his rebellion could have drastic consquences for those closest to him...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Ancient History, Egypt, Fiction, Diary

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2010

About the author

Jim Eldridge is the author of many books for children, including titles in the My Story series, the Warpath books, and How to Handle Grown-Ups. He has had 250 TV scripts broadcast in the UK and internationally for children's and teen television, and is also the creator and writer of Radio 4's long-running comedy-drama series, King Street Junior.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pyramid Of Secrets is a wonderful adventure. This is the first My Story book I have read written by a male. It's 2517 BC the story follows 12 year old Nebka who has lived with his uncle and aunt ever since his father died when he was 6 while building a pyramid for the king of that time. They say pretty nasty things to him like saying he is worthless. He describes his father however as kind and gentle,always taking time out of working in his fields to spend time with his son. He dosen't really remember his mother who died when he was 3 giving birth to his baby brother who died along with her. He helps his uncle in his fields and his aunt at the house. His uncle believes that everyone minute of the day should be spent working that resting is a waste of time. He works long hours. When the river Nile floods which it does annually he goes for the first time to build a pyramid. The pyramid of a Khafre. He makes good friends with a boy called Isesi who does while saving his father. That part was really sad for me and it just reminded poor Nebka about his father. Now he lost someone else important to him. He got stronger and stronger lifting stones for the pyramids. But his first few days he was exhausted. Since Huni Isesi's father kept on grieving over killing his own son he was sent away and 2 new team members to came in one of which name Sabni Nebka became good friends with. He was a bit older than Nebka about the same age as Isesi. He was trying to be friendly at first saying with a friendly smile that this was his first time away from home and that Nebka was very young to being it but since Nebka was still upset about Isesi he snapped at him but when he saw that he was hurt he apologised. He meets a mysterious prisoner who claims to be the rightful heir to the throne called Ankhhaf and Nebka believes him and he agrees to help him with one of his plans but when he does he realises the truth that it was just a plan to escape and regrets it. They nearly escape but Minkaf his uncle comes to the rescue and stops them. To his surprise instead of yelling at him like he normally does his uncle and admits he was a bit harsh. He tells his uncle he was wrong and tells him he really is worthless but his uncle tells him he's not. Loved this book! It rocks. Very interesting too! This is gonna help me with my History assignment!

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is really interesting

[Anna Hepworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the 'my story' mid to late primary historicals (actually, might be aimed younger than that, not sure). This suffers from lack of authenticity, and me as reader feeling beaten over the head with the politics of economic oppression. However, my inner child liked it, it was well paced, and there were lots of interesting details about the building of one of the Egyptian Pyramids (and the Sphinx). My other complaint is that it is a bit self-concious - too much making sure that the reader knows where it is placed historically and geographically. I've read lots of good children's historicals - they don't need this level of didactic focus.

[Goldmoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about the struggles and expectations for an Egyptian slave and a good contemporary source to get an idea on their thought process along with some interesting facts at the end of the book.

[Rose Odonnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a good historical story that follows Nebka going to work on the pyramids for the first time. It was quite short but made for a nice not too heavy read. It includes historical facts and different opinions on the pyramids which I liked. Good little book !

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story did a good job of detailing ancient Egyptian life, though I felt like the “secrets” aspect of the title was not fully delivered. The historical note could have done a better job explaining the pantheon as well.

[Cinta]

good

[Boy]

i can't even the whole thing

[Helen Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very gripping read

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a young middle grade read as an introduction to life working on the pyramids. The story did finish rather abruptly though.

[Meredith]

This is a Great book! but knida boring so add some more action! :)

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars : Ok
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the other my story books but I still liked it.

[August · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young Nebka, orphaned as a child and now living with a cruel uncle and indifferent aunt, has been told he will travel with his uncle to help construct the great pyramids of Giza. For Nebka, who has never left his home, this is an exciting opportunity to see the world, and more importantly, to make friends. But Nebka dislikes the pyramids and all they stand for, thinking them a symbol of the pharaoh's greed. As he begins to work on the pyramids, Nebka learns that there are other who may feel the same way he does, and soon, an opportunity to enact change presents itself.

Typically, the My Story books are presented in a diary format, but in this case it was written as a standard prose novel. At first, I was a little wary of the book for that reason - the diary aspect is part of what has always attracted me to this and similar series. For this particular story, however, I think the choice was a good one. For a normal person at that period in history, it would have been very unlikely that Nebka would know how to write, much less have the time or the means to do so. My largest complaint is that the chapters often felt excessively short.

The historical information presented in the story is pretty good, and the historical note at the back elaborates on the period. Because there's so little we actually know about the Great Pyramids (were they really tombs or something else?) I'm willing to overlook any possible inaccuracies within the text. The writing itself seems a little too simple for the age group it's targeted at, but then again, I'm American, and this is a British series. There might be differences in publishing and marketing that I'm unaware of.

Nebka, the main character, often felt a little too juvenile - he's twelve years old, but in some ways acts years younger - and the resolution of the story left something to be desired. Am I supposed to believe that he just forgives his abusive uncle for being an asshole because his uncle was "doing his best" and trying to prepare Nebka for the world? I don't think so.

Altogether, the book is a quick, simple read, enjoyable, but probably not something I will find myself re-reading.

[Verena · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was 2517 BC. Nebkha, 12 years old, lives with his uncle and aunt. His dad died when he was 6 - crushed by a boulder while building a pyramid. In those days, farmers will all help build the pyramid during the period when the river Nile is flooded. To common folk, building the pyramid was an honour, to do something for the king. But not Nebkha. He hates the pyramid as it has killed his father. But Nebkha has to build it this year in Giza, to build the pyramid of Khafre. During the time he was there, he meets a prisoner, who claims he is the rightful king. When he is able to return to his throne, he will stop the building of pyramids. Nebkha believed him, and was involved in helping him escape.

The book is filled with accounts of how farming is done those days, and of how the pyramid was built.

This is part of the My Story series. There's a brief chapter on the history related to the book.

[Laura]

My book is called Pyramid of Secrets. It starts on a farm near Giza, Egypt. They argued and argued until they could build pyramids. They set off and had a journey. They arrived and Nebka was amazed. They made lots of friends and they built together. I loved the book. If I rated it out of 5 I would rate it 4/5 because there was no adventure in the book. I recommend this book for everyone who likes Egyptians. I thought this book was awesome and I hope you do too.

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Renaissance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of a young boy working to help build the pyramids. Sad that isesi died. Love how they included the building of the sphinx. Very informative on Egypt.

[Steph Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the first of the series I jave read. it has a short but nice story line. and is realistic in ways because it is built upon facts

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Bit weak on the history side, but a gret way to read a glimpse of history from a characters perspective. I got this out for my 10 year old but I think she would have found it a little boring.

[Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best

[Philippa Brunt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some excruciatingly formed sentences.