posted on 19 Jan 2025

Oops, I Kidnapped a Pharaoh! by Luan Goldie

I have already encountered this harem scarum pair of K-Pop obsessive fans and so was fully prepared for further roller coaster adventures.

Skylar and her best friend, Dana are looking forward to a parent free weekend ‘supervised’ by the ever eccentric and unpredictable Nana who runs a catering company and drives a rather unusual tuktuk.

This vehicle proves to be a time machine which whisks them back to Ancient Egypt where they meet the Pharaoh, King Tut as shown by the colourful front cover illustration by Amy Nguyen.  I couldn’t help being reminded of the film ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ which features another pair of young people who gather impressive historical figures on their travels. 

The story begins with the two friends falling out about their favourite band AZ8, which hasn’t been releasing new content for some time. Skylar is fiercely loyal despite this - whereas Dana is tempted to follow Lilac Eyes, a very different emerging band. They agree to differ but it is interesting to see how they each justify their positions and may make readers think about how individuals have different and conflicting tastes in music.

I liked the way that the friends are initially pretty amazed that they have travelled back in time to Ancient Egypt but they quickly adapt to their new environment as they search for Nana who has disappeared in search of ingredients for her famous ‘sweet’n’wild fig and falafel burritos’. In these unusual circumstances, I wonder how many children would be brave enough to investigate a large gathering of people listening to live music?

They soon realise that the main attraction is a splendidly dressed young boy with obvious charisma. He leads a slick, highly synchronized dance routine which really impresses Dana and inspires Skylar to join in with her own moves! As the crowd cheers ecstatically, they realise that he is a ten-year-old Tutankhamun! 

The plot thickens when they realise that he has hitched a ride with them back to the twenty first century. Apart from being a big surprise, readers may share their concern about a possible disruption to history if he can’t be returned to the correct time and place as soon as possible. Despite the difficulties, King Tut is persuaded to try his hand at singing and so becomes another unusual K-Pop sensation! He seems quite comfortable sleeping in Skylar’s brother’s room and is confident going out and about. He also seems to hold a strange attraction for Skylar’s cat which is a bit worrying. How on earth will they untangle and resolve all these problems? Might they even encounter other well- known personalities such as William Shakespeare on their quest to return to Ancient Egypt?

You will need to read this engaging, fast paced yarn for yourself, as I don’t want to spoil t for you! 

I recommend this story published by Walker Books. You will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop and if they don’t have copies on their shelves, they will be happy to order it for you.

 

Karen Argent

January 2025