Part of the 'my story' mid to late primary historicals (actually, might be aimed younger than that, not sure). This suffers from lack of authenticity, and me as reader feeling beaten over the head with the politics of economic oppression. However, my inner child liked it, it was well paced, and there were lots of interesting details about the building of one of the Egyptian Pyramids (and the Sphinx). My other complaint is that it is a bit self-concious - too much making sure that the reader knows where it is placed historically and geographically. I've read lots of good children's historicals - they don't need this level of didactic focus. ( )

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.