The Hour of the Cobra - Softcover

Williams, Maiya

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0810993627 ISBN 13: 9780810993624

Publisher: Amulet Books, 2007

Synopsis

The second book in the thrilling time-travel series that Children’s Literature called “upbeat, adventuresome”

In this sequel to the critically acclaimed The Golden Hour, sibling rivalry between twins Xanthe and Xavier threatens to keep them trapped in the past forever.

The Twilight Tourist Frequent Flier Club, an elite organization, sends its trial members—Xanthe and Xavier Alexander, and Rowan and Nina Popplewell—on a mission to Egypt, 58 b.c.e. This trip seems like a snap for the veteran travelers . . . until Xanthe is mistaken for a goddess by none other than Cleopatra. Desperate for some independence from Xavier, Xanthe just can’t resist a little meddling. Escapes from mummy-filled tombs and fights with sword-wielding gladiators are among the many highlights in this thrilling adventure.

Awards and praise for the trilogy:

A Book Sense Pick!

International Reading Association Fiction Award

Southern California Booksellers Association Children’s Book Prize

“Fun . . . for all lovers of fantasy, and thediversity is welcome.”—Detroit News and Free Press

“Engaging . . . smart.” —The Newark Star-Ledger

“One of the few fantasies with any African-American characters . . .” —Booklist

“Fills the gap between Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events.” —Time Out New York Kids

“It’s refreshing to have African American teens as main characters without their race being a main theme of the book . . . this action packed fantasy will appeal to adventure readers and those who like time travel or historical fiction . . . readers will eagerly await the next trip.”—VOYA, 4Q 4P

About this title

About the Author

Maiya Williams was an editor and vice president of the Harvard Lampoon and writer for the TV shows Rugrats, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and MAD TV, which she also produced. She lives with her husband, three children, a labrador retriever, and a variety of fish in Pacific Palisades, California.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–In this sequel to The Golden Hour (Abrams, 2004), twins Xanthe and Xavier Alexander are reunited with their friends Rowan and Nina Popplewell. After Aunt Agatha recommends the children for membership in the Twilight Tourist Frequent Flier Club, giving them greater access to the time-traveling alleviators of the Owatannauk resort, they are sent on a trial mission to ancient Egypt. Xanthe's resentment of her brother leads her to feel more sympathy for Cleopatra, who mistakes the girl for the goddess Isis, resulting in an accidental changing of history. A visit to an alternate present reminds the siblings of their importance to one another and leads to their return to the past for an effort at restoring the proper course of history. Williams uses extensive detail about daily life in ancient Egypt and the conflicts between the Ptolemies to frame her story, and concluding notes describe her sources and explain where she deviated from actual history. The twins' roles in Egypt are limited because they are African American, an unusual touch for a fantasy novel. Xanthe's resentment of her brother for taking over what she sees as her personal territory will ring true to any reader with siblings, and the changing relationships and development of the four main characters add realism and depth to the story. After a slow start that re-establishes the characters and focuses on Xanthe's resentment, this novel finds its stride as the characters learn about the past and themselves.–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI
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About this edition

• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0810993627
• ISBN 13: 9780810993624
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320