You Wouldn't Want to Be a Pyramid Builder!

The Danger Zone

by Jacqueline Morley

Get ready...as a poor farmer scraping a living in Ancient Egypt, you have been recruited by the pharoah to help build his enormous tomb, a magnificent pyramid. It's grueling work!Top Tips from argue with the tax inspectors or you'll receive a beating.*When dragging large stone blocks, make the path slippery with mud.*Don't chip away at rocks with a blunt chisel - there's a whole army of sharpeners to grind you a fresh one.*Always carry a lucky amulet to ward off sickness and evil spirits.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Egypt, Childrens, Picture Books, Ancient History, Historical

Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Jacqueline Morley studied English at Oxford University and has taught English and History. She is the author of numerous books, including award-winning historical nonfiction titles for children. Her books have won several TES Senior Information book awards.

Reviews

[Set · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course, we don't actually know how the pyramids were built, it is still a mystery to us in many ways but we have an idea. The Pyramids are one of the 7 wonders of the world but this book does show the instruments that were used, why the pyramids were constructed and by whom with the exception that they did not mention the slaves forced to work on them.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable and educational story, especially for anyone who marvels over the pyramids and how they were built. Great illustrations. It's true, you wouldn't want to be a pyramid builder!

CONTENTS:
Scraping a living
Officials, officials
Pulling your weight
Sent to the quarries
Skilled stuff - masons at work
Scribes, scribes, scribes
Carvers and painters
Home comforts
Staying on the right side of the gods
Off-color days
Wrapping up the pharaoh
The pyramid is finished!
Glossary
Index

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suggested by a librarian, this historical graphic novel shares information about pyramid building and life during ancient Egyptian times. It is part of a series that starts with "you would not want to be" and then leads into something from history. Very funny yet educational.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the "An Author You Previously Disliked" part of my 2020 reading challenge. It was better than the last book I read, it displayed the information better and had a nicer layout. It was informative, but not overly gripping.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

cartoonishly informative

[Kaelin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that was enjoyable. As always, the book uses humorous characters to educate children on why life sucked in the ancient times. It's great for older kids.

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a great resource I use within text sets for my 6th grade world history class.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do the women do? I know they are probably doing most of the work back home and they probably don't get paid for it.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun and educational book that puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like. It's a humorous tale, although there was plenty to be sober about if you were a poor farmer in Ancient Egypt.

There are a lot of facts, but the text is arranged so that there are plenty of pictures to look at and it's not overwhelming. We enjoyed this book and will look for more of the books in the You Wouldn't Want To... series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book from my students. It's great to keep working with the younger kids. It keeps me up to date on the great series that are still growing out there. I had never heard of this series, yet I had fun reading it.

It's a great way to get information into kids heads in a fun way. I have some students that had read the entire series.

[Duane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a great series of books, and this book is a excellent book for anyone interested in the times and means that people went throught to build the pyramids. Filled with great illustrations, this book lets the reader see the people who toiled everyday not only in building the pyramids, but the reasons why. A great book for any age reader.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a little tidbit of information that I didn't know. (Not saying I know everything in these books) I always wondered how they built the pyramids and this book showed how they may have used ramps going up around the pyramid. And I'm glad I live now and not then. Of course, I love the illustrations. Great series.

[Ciera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just keep working, just keep working...that's what the Egyptian Pyramid builders did all day everyday! By wonderful author, J. Morley, the "You wouldn't want to..." books really open doors to ancient, and not so ancient, life.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many other books in this series, this one explains how slavery was used by ancient civilizations. In this case, slaves and people in poverty built the pyramids, and they were not given the choice not to.

[Leslie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating book. My 6-year-old asked so many questions about this book because he was so interested in it. The pictures are fun, the information is easy to understand - this is just a great series.

[Briana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children's educational book that kids can imagine what life in those times was like. It was ok book for me. The art in this book was great and humorous but since I'm not a kid I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. So this wasnt for me.

[Silme · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three children read this book which discussed techniques for pyramid building. It also discusses how life was for the pyramid builder, including how boring and slave-like it was.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, accessible and so middle school appropriate.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of children's books, they give the basics of a historical event or figure in a fun way that will interest kids.

[Wendy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is awesome. A great way to introduce these difficult topics to younger children. I am enjoying reading these books as well as my kids.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great way to learn about, culture, social classes and the actual building of a pyramid. This book brings humor and facts together in an engaging way for young readers.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful series, great pictures and fun facts, ideal for 1st - 3rd grade.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE these books! Found them in the school library and they are great! I wish there were more!

[Shahd Rdawi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great,Fun fact history book to read,
I have one of my student from Egypt so I'm so happy to have this book and will give it to him to read and know about his mother country!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect amount of information per page, very engaging.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (8yo) read.

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book but probably for older children since history can be gruesome.

[Emily Mangina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tapestry of Grace - year one - unit one - weeks 2 and 3