Anubis Speaks!

Gr 4–6—At the heart of this imaginative tour of the afterworld of Egyptian mythology is the judgment of the dead: the recently deceased's heart is weighed against a feather, and the individual's fate is left up to whether the heart is lighter and therefore pure, or heavier and deserving of damnation. The weighing is done by the god of the dead and embalming, Anubis, who also serves as a wickedly funny tour guide. This book is packed with information. Anubis introduces readers to ancient Egypt and its people; the basics of Egyptian mythology; the process of mummification; and, of course, the judgment of souls. Another big topic is the harrowing journey the sun god Ra experiences every night, descending into the Underworld to defeat his enemy, Apophis, and rising again in the morning-an adventure Anubis takes readers on as well. The book ends with a list of gods and demons in the Egyptian pantheon. Anubis is snarky, but he gives a sense of genuine interest and enthusiasm, adding well-injected humor. He also relishes gross or graphic bits, and the illustrations, black-and-white depictions of important scenes, usually feature Anubis grinning and looking oddly joyful-a sentiment that will likely be matched by readers. His narration, plus the incredible wealth of interesting detail, could make this book a hit in any library.—Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City