Cleopatra Rules!: The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen

Do you want to walk like an Egyptian?Well, you have to learn about a young Greek girl who ruled Egypt to do it right - and boy, did Vicky Alvear Shecter do Cleopatra proud!!!I was studying to become a docent at the wonderful Carlos Museum at Emory University in Atlanta, and probably met Vicky. She is a docent there, and am sure she's very popular. My writing path started and I postponed my docent duties, but when I finish my first novel THIRST (a shameless plug for my book) I will continue my docent journey.As Ms. Shecter did with her Alexander the Great book, she takes the facts of historical figures' existences and spins it in a way you will want to run to the next page.She is funny, factual, and wonderful and gives an exciting read as well as giving the reader a great history lesson.For kids of all ages -The Ptolemy family inherited Egypt in the big split after Alexander the Great died. They did as the pharoahs did, intermarried, keeping the bloodline of the Ptolemy family pure. Cleopatra VII was a good little Greek girl done good.She loved her heritage, spoke Greek, but wanted to learn about the history of Egypt and was one of the few Ptolemy family to learn how to speak the native language and hieroglyphics of her people. She was a book nerd, like me!How I longed since I was a child to have had the freedom to run through the Great Library of Alexandria!!!!! I wouldn't have come out - they would have to send me sandwiches and drinks!And the 40 or so story Lighthouse of Alexandria that was one of the Ancient Wonders of the World! What an amazing time to live!Ms. Shecter continues the amazing story of Cleopatra, her kith and kin and loves and children, and what happened after she died when she made an asp of herself.This is history for kids of all ages. I LOVE this book!!!There is only one tiny thing - and this is the copyeditor in me - across from the Table of Contents, the word 'review' is spelled 'reviwed the book of contents' for typos?? That was the only one I caught, but as writers, we all need to review the heck out of our work.I cannot complain because I use spellcheck to check my emails!!Well Done Vicky Schecter!Cleopatra is doing a dance in the Underworld that you did her proud.For all ages - more than a history book, funny, witty as well as informative.As a proud Greek lady, I salute you - more history books please!!

I bought this for my 10 year old daughter. Her class is reading non-fiction and she asked for something about girls and fun. It’s safe to say she loved it, as she read it in it’s entirety within a day. The book has substance and was super fun.

My 6th grader has to do a biography report for school. One of the requirements on the book is that it has to have 150 pages. When it comes to kids biography books this isn't an easy task.This one is labelled as 176 pages so I jumped at it. I figured even with photos that still took it to the 150+ requirement.It came and it has 128 pages and that includes the glossary, sources, and definitions.

A gift to my twelve-year old granddaughter. She read it immediately and enjoyed it very much. Maybe it was the graphics, maybe it was an easy read, but I think it was the topic: the amazing life of the original teen queen. What twelve year old wouldn't be intrigued by that story line.

This book was both entertaining and full of interesting information. It addressed many of the myths surrounding Cleopatra and was presented in a fun "kid-friendly" manner. The book is full of beautiful pictures, fun facts, and introduces children to the real Cleopatra in a way that they'll both understand and enjoy. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who has children.

My son was required to read this book as part of his Summer homework. I cannot understand why. It is described as an "informal" biography. A better way to describe it would be a dumbed down biography. The book is peppered with allusions to pop culture and sports, placed in the most obvious way. Instead of respecting kids - the prospective readers - it conveys a deep distrust of their abilities. Kids can love history if it is conveyed with purpose and intelligence. To take a compelling life such as that of Cleopatra and convert it into a barely tolerable hodgepodge is simply unacceptable.

Loved this book! Kids will really relate to the language. So much to learn.