Alice-Miranda in Egypt

Alice-Miranda #20

by Jacqueline Harvey

The Queen’s Colours leadership program is heading to Egypt and Alice-Miranda and her friends are thrilled. There are hidden tombs to explore, a new culture to experience and a lot to learn about the country’s ancient past.But something is amiss among the pyramids and palm trees. Bizarre happenings back home, a new friend with something to hide and adults with stories that don’t quite add up leave the friends very worried indeed. One thing’s for when Alice-Miranda starts digging, she’ll find more than just buried treasure!

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Jacqueline Harvey has combined a successful career in education with her love of a good story. She is the author of many novels for younger readers and a picture book, THE SOUND OF THE SEA, which was awarded Honour Book in the 2006 Australian Children’s Book Council Awards.

Jacqueline taught in Infants and Primary schools and was Deputy Head of Abbotsleigh Junior School (an independent day and boarding school for girls) in Sydney Australia for seven and a half years before taking up the position of Director of Development at Abbotsleigh in 2010. In October 2012 she resigned to become a full time writer and speaker.

Jacqueline’s bestselling Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series’ centre on the adventures of two young girls.

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones is a perpetually positive and determined seven year old who takes herself off to boarding school because it appeals to her sense of adventure.

Clementine Rose is a sweet little girl, who brings much joy to her family and the friends she makes along the way in her journeys through the first five books of the series. A star of the show is Clementine Rose’s pet, an adorable teacup pig called Lavender.

Her newest series is called Kensy and Max about twins who learn that their grandmother is head of the world's most important spy organisation, Pharos.

Current Books in the Series’
Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape April 1, 2014 Shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) 2015

Alice-Miranda In Japan March 1, 2014 Shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) 2015

Alice-Miranda Shines Bright September 1, 2013
Selected for the 2013 Get Reading Program (50 Books You Can’t Put down)

Clementine Rose and the Perfect Present May 1, 2013

Clementine Rose and the Farm Fiasco August 1, 2013

Alice-Miranda In Paris March 1, 2013
Shortlisted 2014 Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 8-14 years category
Shortlisted 2014 REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT.

Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster January 1, 2012

Alice-Miranda in New York February 1, 2012
Winner Random House Australia Children’s Book of the Year

Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor September 1, 2012
Selected for the 2012 Get Reading Program (50 Books You Can't Put Down)
Voted #50 Dymocks Top 51 Kid’s Books 2013

Alice-Miranda Shows the Way August 1, 2012
Shortlisted for 2013 REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
Awarded Honour Book KOALA awards

Alice-Miranda At Sea August 1, 2012
Longlisted for DAVITT awards (Crime fiction in Junior Category) 2012

Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead February 1, 2011
Named Australian Children's Book of the Year 2011 as voted by the members of the NSW Independent Booksellers Group.


Alice-Miranda On Holiday August 1, 2010

Alice-Miranda at School February 1, 2010
Voted #9 Dymocks Top 51 Books for Kids 2013
Winner 2012 YABBA (Young Australian's Best Book Award in Victoria)
Awarded Honour Book KOALAs
Shortlisted for 2012 REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice Awards – KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria, WAYRBA in Western Australia and COOL in the ACT
Shortlisted for the 2011 Australian Peace Award.

Kensy and Max: Breaking News March 2018 Shortlisted for Red Dot Book Awards Singapore 2020, YABBA, KOALA and KROC Children's Choice Awards Victoria, NSW and NT 202, Shortlisted West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2020

Reviews

[melodie | readingwithmelodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heck how did I not about about this book’s existence until literally like two days ago?!??? Needless to say I IMMEDIATELY picked up a copy and read it straight away!

And damn, it’s now 4am, I *had* to read it in one sitting and I cannot sleep now (who’s surprised?) 🙈

Okay I can’t promise anything after this won’t be spoilery (or like, hinting at plot lines, so like, **beware**!! You have been warned!)

Things I liked:
✨ it was another Queen’s Colours book, which means we get the entire massive squad back again!
✨ everything was written really well! There was some awesome character development moments at the end of the book that I loved!
✨ ALL THE CUTESY SCENES. I’m DYING. THE FLUFF I CAN’T!!!
✨ Neville (though I wish we had MORE)
✨ Jacinta and Lucas (again with the MORE! 😂)
✨ as always, I really loved how all the side plots linked together at the end!

Things that I wish could have happened:
*extra spoiler warning*
*also probably a heads up that I’m reviewing this book like I would a YA book, and since I’m not the intended target audience, just take everything I say with a grain of salt*

✨ a certain someone ending up with a certain someone...? But to be honest, I forget that these kids are really just... kids. PRETEENS! 😱 they’re like 100% more mature and smarter than me which makes my shipper heart go all shippy and then I want them all together and happy! Moments like this I remember “damn it’s a kids book”
✨ not a massive fan of the love triangle, because SPOILER Sep’s crush seems to come from the middle of nowhere, and ever since Scotland I ship AM with Neville so yeah, that was arghhh
✨ the school closing plot was sort of underwhelming and not exactly necessary. Like, a certain level of predictable (of say, everything’s going to be fine at the end) is fine, but as soon as I read about the school, I knew it’ll get fixed due somehow at the end, and all the worry isn’t too much use

All in all, LOVED IT! Just lil ol’ me being picky because we have an 18 year old here not reading books for adults 😅 anyways, I think I might need to continue to AM reread I accidentally put on hiatus... here’s the weird order so far now!

1. Alice Miranda in the Outback (#19)
2. Alice Miranda on Camp (#10)
3. Alice Miranda Shows the Way (#6)
4. Alice Miranda in Egypt (#20)

——

19/9/22 reread

okay, same amount of eeeek, but also, sadness because this is still the most recent book released and it’s been a good year. I read somewhere that this series was only contracted for 20 books and I would CRY if that’s true

CRYING if we never get an Alice-Miranda x Neville ending, would also give up my SOUL for a “just in case you’re wondering” except it was the rest of their lives and they all live HEA

also I would like to mention, I just remembered AM & Sep had that Snow White moment in #3 and I did half ship them then. but also Neville was unexpected and I LOVE THEM

ansbjdjdjsbddb

anyways, this is what my reread this year is looking like so far
1. Alice Miranda in Scotland (#17)
2. Alice Miranda in Egypt (#20)

26/5/24 reread

not much else to add, i seemed to have remembered more love triangle-ness than there actually was but this is an absolute comfort read i love it

and also knowing that millie likes sep (HOW DID I NOT REALISE THE LAST TWO TIMES I READ THIS??) this makes me so happy!! they’re all paired up!

every year i say i plan on rereading everything, but so far it’s been this
1. Alice Miranda and the Christmas Mystery (#21) x2
2. Alice Miranda in Egypt (#20)

so we shall seeee! maybe i should try going in reverse?

[Serene Conneeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plucky 11-year-old Alice-Miranda is always having adventures. Last time it was a desert dilemma in outback Australia, now she’s on a school trip to Egypt, where she finds herself caught up in a sinister plot to smuggle ancient artefacts out of the country. There are dangers among the pyramids and hidden tombs, making for a gripping, page-turning read, while her positivity and courage, friendship with her classmates and kindness to the not-so-nice kids make her a joy to spend time with, no matter how much trouble she finds herself in.

[Tiaraglory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how but even at book 20 the quality hasn't deteriorated at all (there's definitely more relationship drama which I do enjoy). I enjoyed these books at 14 and I'm still enjoying them at 20 so I'm hoping we still get a few more!

[ting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is Jacqueline Harvey’s best written (and Alice-Miranda’s most thrilling) mystery yet! I usually lose track of the myriad of characters presented in her books but I was able to keep up with this one from start to finish. The fast-paced plot took me on an exhilarating journey through Egypt, with twists that kept me on my toes. I was floored by Caprice and Millie, having not expected their character development. Perhaps the only reason why I gave this book 4 stars was that the characters were too preoccupied to fully enjoy themselves as compared to Scotland.

[atty · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I've always liked Alice Miranda and I always will. But the only reason it took me so long to finish was because idk ig because it's a kids book, it wasn't as engaging and entertaining for me as other books are. But it's still was a really good book. And I love the fact that there was a bit more romance in it, like a love triangle too? Ahhh yes please🤭. Alice Miranda is so damn clueless tho and bro Millie so obviously likes Seb. I love Millie for giving that bone marrow, she's a great friend man.
Lucas, still a great flirt🤭.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This counts towards my goodreads goal okay

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a great escape from reality and a nice change of pace from my usual reading

[Annaleise Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleven years after the first Alice-Miranda book, bestselling author and former deputy principal Jacqueline Harvey has released the series’ twentieth instalment: Alice-Miranda in Egypt.

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones, who was seven and one quarter in the first book, is now eleven and a half. Ever since she started at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies in Alice-Miranda at School, she has been a precocious, intelligent and startlingly mature character. Always seeing the best in others, she manages to attract confidants and admiration wherever she goes—though, in this book, she is delightfully obtuse when it comes to the eager attentions of two besotted male friends. It is likely this combination of wisdom and naivety that endears Alice-Miranda both to her fellow characters and to readers of all ages.

The prologue introduces Masud, a fifteen-year-old Egyptian boy, as he learns his blood is not a match for his beloved little brother’s leukaemia treatment. Masud’s father is a tour guide preparing for the arrival of a new group: the students of the Queen’s Colours leadership program, including Alice-Miranda and her friends, who are heading to Egypt to sightsee and participate in an archaeological dig. By the end of chapter one, we also learn Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale might have to close—later revealed to be the result of a Ponzi scheme run by one of the school’s accountants.

With the stakes suitably high, the students’ Egyptian adventure begins. From hair-raising taxi rides and misbehaving camels, to nefarious politicians and stolen artefacts, the ingredients are in place for a rip-roaring read with a hearty dose of armchair travel. Of course, in between bringing down an international smuggling ring and stumbling upon ‘the most exciting find since Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter had cracked open Tutankhamen’s resting place in 1922’, Alice-Miranda and her friends are working hard to solve their school’s money woes from afar. It wouldn’t be an Alice-Miranda book without our heroine saving the day! Even Masud’s little brother gets a happy ending.

Fans of Alice-Miranda will adore this latest adventure, rich in the good-natured humour and wholesome charm that are the hallmarks of this popular series.

This review was first shared on StoryLinks Australia.