Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt

K-Gr 2—In this easy-read chapter book, Andy Shane and Dolores Starbuckle both select Egypt as their project for the Cultural Fair at school. Andy's grandmother has given him a scarab beetle in plastic, and Dolores dresses like an Egyptian queen. Andy isn't keen on working with bossy Dolores, and losing a t-ball game because Dolores is "dancing like an Egyptian" in the stands doesn't make him any more enthusiastic. Jennifer Richard Jacobson's book (Candlewick, 2008) is expressively read by Rachel Lillis, who provides a variety of voices for the characters. A musical background and sound effects enhance the telling. Page-turn signals are optional. The story deals realistically with children's feelings, relationships, and attitudes. This title for beginning readers can also be used to encourage struggling readers and to help ELLs.—Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, Federal Way, WA