The Book of the Dead by Michael Northrop

Scholastic Publishing has a new series called Tombquest, which is being written similarly to 39 Clues, Spirit Animals, and Infinity Ring in that each book will have a different author and there is an online game component.  Michael Northrop's Book of the Dead (Lexile: 650; Interest Level: Grades 3-6) is the first book of this new series.

Alex Sennefer is very sick, and the doctors don't know why, so they have no idea how to save him.  Alex's mother, however, has been doing quite a lot of research in her job as an Egyptologist, and she knows about the powers of the Lost Scrolls when used with the Book of the Dead.  When she unleashes some of the ancient power to save her son's life, Alex gets thrown into an adventure to save hers and unlocks some powers he never knew he had.  This story is very fast-paced and full of adventure, and it would be a good starting point for students who may want to read Rick Riordan's Egyptian series, but are a little put off by their length.  I haven't checked out the online part, but I am sure it will appeal to gamers as well! (208 pages)

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