Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen

Sterling Biographies

by Susan Blackaby

At once daring, clever, smart, rich, determined, and rash, Cleopatra is one of history’s most fascinating figures. Here, children will find out all -   The Ptolemy Dynasty into which she was born, its traditions and infighting -   The role of women in ancient Egypt -   How she ascended to, and maintained her place on, the throne -   Her relationships with both Caesar and Mark Antony and the political repercussions of these affairs within the Roman Empire and Egypt -   Her death in Alexandria -   And much more, all beautifully illustrated

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical, Biography, Biography Memoir

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very basic book and would be more suited to upper primary and high school students. Very quick and easy to get through - contains useful information, although a lot of it I already knew. The writing style flowed well and I didn't feel like I was being weighed down with information. It's good as an introductory book, but suffers a bit in the scope and direction. A lot of it focussed on Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and not Cleopatra. I know that this is a problem for most ancient histories, but if her name is the title, she should really be the main focus of the book for more of it than she was. 3.5 stars.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography
5th-6th grade
I enjoyed reading this book because it really delved into the political actions of Cleopatra and other leaders at the time. It was very detailed and their were additional facts and pictures presented throughout that added to the reading experience. However, it does read a lot like a textbook, so if children aren't that interested in the life of Cleopatra they would probably find it boring. This is a book I can see older children using for research, not reading for fun unless they really enjoy history.

[Musiquedevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about Cleopatra, her life, her loves and her legacy. It may be only 117 pages but Susan Blackaby packs a lot of information in about Cleopatra and focuses on her children more than other books about the Queen.

The main angle of the book was focused on Cleopatra and her love affair and reign with Mark Antony and how it affected the history of Rome & Egypt forever. Good read.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

No fiction - hits the highlights without more detail than needed. Loving the junior biography section!

Sadly, seems like she's more famous because of her influence on famous lovers than for what she personally did.

We only really know about her because Romans and Roman politicians hated her influence on Caesar and Mark Antony.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Cleopatra by Susan Blackaby was a very good book. I learned a lot about Cleopatra and her life as an Egyptian queen. If you are a person who is very interested about Egypts history, I recommend you read this book. This book is very interesting and very fun to read. That is why I rate this book a four star.

[Amita Hosangadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me so happy!! It has everything - love, romance, richness, war, deceit, etc. and all of it is true and that makes it more exciting. The book is not very big size too which is the best for me as I do not like to read big books.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect length, kid friendly biography on Cleopatra- good for upper elementary and middle school.

[Michelle]

Nice book

[NicoWil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made little kid me very happy :))

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick informative read about Cleopatra and her history heavily woven with Rome at the time. The only thing I disagree about the author is in the end she says Cleopatra wins. She killed herself leaving her children to fend for themselves. Her oldest two sons were tricked into coming back to Egypt only to have their throats cut. While three of her other children were taken in by Marc Atony's first wife (I have to give that lady credit). I think the harder, braver choice would have been to live.

[Phughson4]

Everybody knows who Cleopatra is, the beautiful Egyptian queen, but very few know about her short life. Cleopatra, whilst growing up, was educated on being queen, since she was the heir. When Cleopatra was around the age of eighteen, her father died and she was put in charge. In her life she fell in love at least three times that we know about, and all the people she fell in love with ended up dying. Cleopatra had a very harsh life and ended up committing suicide because Mark Antony, her husband, had killed himself, thinking that she had killed herself.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good biography filled with pictures and graphics that will delight and inform. A great way to introduce nonfiction to younger readers and a fascinating look at the life of one of the most famous women in history.

[Mae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't terrible but it wasn't amazing either. I found some of the facts kinda interesting, but I'm not a fan of non-fiction. It doesn't really perk my interest.

[Cori Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow! So interesting. I am now completely fascinated and must know more!