Ancient Egypt

Ken Jennings' Junior Genius Guides #6

by Ken Jennings, Mike Lowery (Illustrator)

Travel back in time to the age of the pyramids with this interactive trivia book from Jeopardy! winner and New York Times bestselling author Ken Jennings.With this book about ancient Egypt, you’ll become an expert and wow your friends and teachers with awesome ancient Did you know that some Egyptians used to shave their eyebrows whenever a cat died? Or that some people worshiped a god of lettuce? With great illustrations, cool trivia, and fun quizzes to test your knowledge, this guide will have you on your way to whiz-kid status in no time.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Egypt, Childrens, Middle Grade

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Kenneth Wayne Jennings III holds the record for the longest winning streak on the U.S. syndicated game show Jeopardy! Jennings won 74 games before he was defeated by challenger Nancy Zerg on his 75th appearance. His total earnings on Jeopardy! are US$3,022,700 ($2,520,700 in winnings, a $2,000 consolation prize on his 75th appearance, and $500,000 in the Jeopardy! Ultimate Tournament of Champions). Jennings held the record for most winnings on any game show ever played until the end of the Ultimate Tournament of Champions (first aired on May 25, 2005), when he was displaced by Brad Rutter, who defeated Jennings in that tournament.

After winning, he began working on a book, Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs, which explored American trivia history and culture. Ken also appeared as a member of the mob sitting in podium #13 from the new game show 1 vs. 100 in 2006, and in 2007 Jennings was the champion of the first season of the US version of Grand Slam.

Jennings was selected to co-host Jeopardy after the death of Alex Trebek.

Reviews

[Pink STREAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to be an expert about ancient Egypt this book is for you. The book is not just a book, there are questions, extra credit sections, pop quizzes, funny pictures, and a certification exam at the end. If you pass the exam you become a certified junior genius, cool! There is very interesting, weird, and disgusting information about ancient Egypt. It is not like a textbook, the author's word choice made the book pretty fun. You should read this book if you are interested in pyramids, mummies, pharaohs, and much more. You will shock your friends, family members, and even your teachers with your amazing knowledge about ancient Egypt. You will become a walking an encyclopedia!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and lots more knowledge of Egypt and the Egyptians in all their abilities. Enjoyed it.

[Ashlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚✨ What happens when a Kids book club dives into ancient pyramids, fascinating trivia, brave birds, and finding your own voice? A whole lot of great conversations!

For this month's Kids Book Club, we read Ancient Egypt by Ken Jennings and Kestrel Takes Flight by Joy McCullough, and both books sparked plenty of discussion.

I loved how Ancient Egypt made history feel fun and accessible. Packed with quirky facts, colorful illustrations, and interactive quizzes, it kept readers engaged from start to finish. The kids especially enjoyed sharing their favorite trivia with each other. There were lots of "Wait, really?!" Moments. Several readers said they loved learning about Egyptian gods, mummies, and daily life, while the quizzes made them feel like history experts.

Kestrel Takes Flight offered a completely different reading experience but was just as memorable. Through Kestrel's journey of leaving behind the only life she's ever known, the story explores courage, healing, family, and self-discovery. The kids connected with Kestrel's feelings of uncertainty and appreciated watching her grow more confident as the story progressed. Many were fascinated by the conservation dogs and wildlife elements, while others loved seeing Kestrel learn that it's okay to ask questions and find her own path.

Together, these books balance learning and storytelling beautifully. One gave us fascinating facts and plenty of laughs, while the other opened the door to meaningful conversations about resilience, change, and belonging.

⚡️Thank you, Atheneum Books, for Young Readers, Simon Kids, Ken Jennings, and Joy McCullough, for sharing these books with us!

[Hannah J · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Junior Genius Guides” is Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings’ first childrens’ series. This book is the sixth in the “Junior Genius Guides” series. This witty piece of literature is packed with facts about Egyptian mythology, culture, and architecture, with vivid pictures to go with them. Did you know that there are different types of pyramids? There’s the classic pointed pyramid, the step pyramid, designed by Ramses the Great, and finally the “bent pyramid”. I really liked this book because the author seemed knowledgeable about the topic and stated legitimate facts. I also liked it because it appealed to a young audience, around 9 to 12. I would recommend this book to kids that have an appreciation for history or like knowing facts.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect series that teaches and entertains. Every page has some engaging illustration, fact, or activity that makes us want to share immediately.
I didn't know this series, this was my first one, and we think what else there is to know about Ancient Egypt that hasn't been repeated... nope. Four pages into it and we're learning a lot; even the oldest adults in our family did not know some of these facts. Makes learning super fun.
Each chapter addresses a theme, from pyramids to animal worship to ancient medicine and more, with questions. Will definitely collect these.
High heels: Butchers wore them at work to keep their feet clean as they cut meat. Trained monkey? Police officers trained dogs and monkeys to help fight crime, ha!
Love the quiz at the end. Want to get dinosaurs next.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why in the world would I write a review for a book I haven’t actually read yet? Because I think you need to know it entrances my five year old. He has been reading it in the car for DAYS. He wants me to buy the outer space version in this series. It’s really his first book with so much text and so little illustrations. I’m totally excited until I remember he’s reading something I haven’t and what if there is something that is too much for him at this age 😳. He hasn’t seemed alarmed or disturbed...but I better get in the know!!!

[Ellen Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent choice for kids who are interested in Ancient Egypt or who just love to learn new things. The author does a good job selecting the facts and ideas that would be most compelling to a young reader, and there are activities, recipes, riddles and cartoons scattered throughout the book, as well as a quiz at the end. This series is not in big demand at my Middle School library; I think it would do better at an elementary school.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other Junior Genius Guides, this one is jam-packed with information and fun facts presented in a humorous, kid-friendly way. Give this to the child in your life who is fascinated with mummies and pharoahs.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Its a good overview for middle school students. I hoped it would go more into the different Egyptian Gods/Goddesses.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This egyption book is very educational and is a good book for people who like mythology. It makes you want to learn more and is a page turner. I reccomend this book to the people who like egypt.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book I would typically read, however it was highly engaging and I learned so much! I would definitely recommend to students and have available when we are all reading nonfiction!

[Kelsey Righter · Rating 5 out of 5]

These guides for kids are AWESOME fun! A must!!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and interesting but really should have included a map!

[J Elizabeth Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information in an easy to read format. The information is appropriate for middle school and the tone is appropriate for elementary. Cute illustrations.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ken Jennings, and this book was SO MUCH FUN! I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[Lyndsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, if I read this when I was 10, I would think this was the coolest book. Really cute and informative in a way that's easy for younger readers to digest.

[Krista Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great resource book if you want to learn more about Ancient Egypt. Tons of graphics and cartoons and illustrations.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know what a sistrum is? Did you know that even babies wore eyeliner in ancient Egypt? Do you get that Lower Egypt is actually higher on a map than Upper Egypt? Well, you could if you read this book. I love trivia and I adore Ken Jennings. He makes learning so much fun and not to mention age appropriate. Lots of humor and fun facts to keep middle readers reading.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books- what a great topic.

These are very readable non-fiction targeted for the 7-12 set. My family has had great conversation based on some of the facts!

Edit on 2nd Reading- I am now teaching an Egyptian unit for my class. This book has added great anecdotes to our history discussion!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love these little books! They're very witty and informative.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Not very much new information, but still an interesting primer.