The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin)

Newbery Honor Book

Reading this book really helped spark my interest in learning more about ancient Eygpt. The book is beautifully descriptive, and made me feel like I was there. It really helped me see the beauty in that culture. As I read other books about ancient Egypt, I realized I had already learned and retained quite a bit about it already just by reading this children's book! I think the author really researched her subject well.

I would highly recommend this book as an educational book, or just for fun. After the first few chapters, the story does become pretty exciting, and at the end I was left wanting more.


Orphan adventures in Ancient Egypt -- Cool!   April 4, 2000
36 out of 37 found this review helpful

Young Ranofer, an orphan, lives with his half brother, Gebu, who beats and mistreats him. Ranofer discovers that there has been a thief at the goldsmith where he works. He thinks that it is Gebu's friend, Ibini, but later learns that Ibini is actually working for Gebu, who is behind the thefts. Then, one night about six months later, a hungry Ranofer ventures into Gebu's room, which is forbidden to Ranofer, for food; and he discovers a golden goblet with hieroglyphics spelling out, "Thutmose the Conqueror"! The discovery leads him to believe that Gebu is a tomb-raider. On the day of the festival when the Nile rises and makes the soil rich with nourishment, Ranofer secretly follows Gebu and Wenamon, the mason, into a tomb. But they soon discover Ranofer and start chasing him. Ranofer escapes, traps them in the tomb, and runs to tell the queen about the tomb-raiders. At first, no one believes him, but then the queen sends some people to investigate. When they find out what Ranofer has said is true, the queen rewards Ranofer with the donkey he asks for. Because I enjoy reading about Egypt, this book was fun to read. It was a good adventure and mystery. I recommend it to other people who also enjoy mysteries and adventures.


A Decent Piece of Historical Fiction   January 24, 2000
28 out of 30 found this review helpful

This is a pretty good book. The story takes place during the rule Amenhotep III and Queen Tiy. It is about a young Egyptian orphan named Ranofer, the son of Thutra, a very talented goldsmith. When his father dies, Ranofer's cruel brother Gebu takes over and makes him work as a lowly laborer in a goldshop. When Ranofer finds out that Gebu is stealing gold from tombs, he and his friend Hequet set out to find answers. One night, Ranofer finds a goblet made of solid gold which bares the cartouche of pharaoh Thutmose The Conqueror. Ranofer tries to follow and stop Gebu. But little does he know that his mistakes might cost him his life.

The Golden Goblet is very exciting and compelling, but it doesn't really get interesting until you are well into the book. It also has vocabulary that may be beyond the comprehension of some readers, so you may want to keep a dictionary handy. If you don't read this in school, you should definitely read it on your own.


The Golden Goblet Rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   October 11, 2002
17 out of 20 found this review helpful

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw is about a boy named Ranofer who is forced by his half-brother, Gebu, to work as a lowly porter in a goldsmith's shopin Ancient Egypt. His life's goal is to be an apprentice to Zao, the best goldsmith in ancient Thebes. Ranofer learns about a crime operation Gebu is involved in, and tries to stop him and his accomplice. Along the way Ranofer makes two friends, Heqet and the "Ancient One." They keep his secrets, encourage him and help him in his crusade to prove Gebu of his heinous crimes.
I liked this book because it was very well written. The author did a very good job in bringing the characters to life. She does this by making their feelings apparent. For example, when the chief goldsmith called Ranofer "shari" meaning "small one," this little bit of kindness "brought sudden tears to Ranofers eyes, so vividly did he recall his father's voice using that very endearment."
There are many times in this book where the author describes Ranofer's inward thoughts and speculations. These often include plans to defy Gebu and escape from his evil clutches. Other times he chastises himself for being rude to his friends. The author also describes the pain and suffering when Ranofers half-brother beats him. When Ranofer is apprenticed to Gebu in a stone cutting shop, he earnestly tries to learn this trade by asking Gebu a simple question. Gebu strikes him for no apparent reason other than asking this simple question. For the most part the plot of the book moves a bit slowly, but towards the end it becomes very exciting. I earnestly recommend this book to children 8 years old and up.


The Golden Goblet   December 19, 2002
13 out of 19 found this review helpful

The Golden Goblet is a book about a boy named Ranofer who lives with his older brother Gebu who has a secret that will change Ranofer's whole life. Ranofer has an okay life except for Gebu. Ranofer works at Rekh's goldhouse there he meets a boy named Heqet; they become very good friends. Gebu is a stonecutter and makes Ranofer work for him in the stonecutter's shop and that is where Ranofer learns about Gebu's secret. In my opinion, the theme is that your friends are like family and that you should always trust them no matter what happens in your life, just like Ranofer, Heqet and the Ancient. This book is good historical fiction because it is a good source and explanation of what Ancient Egypt was like and how the people were treated in that time period. I like it because it has good action and an extremely good plot line. This is also a good book because it helps you understand what ancient Egyptians had to deal with and felt. I think you should read it because you will also get involved in the life of the characters and ancient Egypt.. If you do read it I know you will enjoy it and want to read it over and over again. Once again you should read The Golden Goblet.