Educated & Entertained

Secrets Of A Sun King by Emma Carroll is an absolutely fascinating historical children’s novel that will educate you as you read. It is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The novel is set in the autumn of 1922. It surrounds the opening up of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter. This is a subject that has many myths surrounding it. Emma Carroll has spun a tale that is grounded in fact.

The novel is highly entertaining and engaging, whatever your age. It is not only set in 1922 but the reader is transported back to Tutankhamun’s final days in the form of a (fictional) letter. The reader has much sympathy for the young Pharoah who just wanted to be an ordinary boy. “Riches haven’t brought me happiness.” The true riches in life are always found in people and never in possessions.

We also see the role of women in the world. Though they had done men’s jobs during World War I, in the early 1920’s they were treated very much as second class citizens to men.

The leading female characters are receiving a good education in a private girl’s school. The two young girls come from totally different backgrounds but are united by their love of Egyptology, and their dislike of the bullies at school. It takes much courage to stand up to them.

World War I changed lives. Many returned battle-scarred. Both young and old soldiers were the forgotten heroes. “My dad never spoke about the war. Yet four years later, you still felt it everywhere… You’d notice men who’d once been soldiers, now begging on street corners, unable to work.” Many lives were ruined but still they were not helped.

All the children were likable and realistic. They were easy to picture and to empathise with.

I thoroughly enjoyed Secrets Of A Sun King and read it in just one sitting. It is a book that can begin discussions with our children about Egyptology. They will be educated as they read.

JULIA WILSON