When you hear the word "mummy", what do you think of? For me, Ancient Egypt comes right to mind, but in Mysteries of the Mummy Kids I learned about all kinds of different mummies from all over the globe. Concentrating on the mummified bodies of children that have been found around the world, this detailed book struck me as a little bit gruesome. Color photos accompany text that describes the discovery of each mummy and what scientists have been able to find out about it. Some child mummies were ancient Incan sacrifices. Some may have been killed because of physical disabilities. Some died of diseases. Each mummy found has contributed to our knowledge of the people that came before us.

An extensive bibliography, glossary, listing of museums, and suggestions for further reading make this a great title for kids doing projects on mummies (especially non-Egyptian mummies). The high-interest subject and frequent photos make this a good choice for recreational reading as well. ( )