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Description
Ranofer struggles to thwart the plottings of his evil brother, Gebu, so he can become master goldsmith like their father in this exciting tale of ancient Egyptian mystery and intrigue. Newbery Honor Book
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis
Summary
Ranofer is a porter at the shop of Rekh the goldsmith, but he is not an ordinary one; his father Thutra was a master in the the trade. However, he has recently died and now Ranofer's half-brother Gebu is his guardian. Ranofer loves goldworking and is very skilled at it, but Gebu will not allow... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Cast of Characters/Important People
- Ranofer: Protagonist; young Egyptian boy of around eleven or twelve. Dreams of becoming a master goldsmith as was his deceased father.
- Gebu: Antagonist; half brother of Ranofer. A stonecutter by trade, Gebu is revealed to be a truly wicked character throughout the story. He physically and verbally abuses Ranofer fairly often.
- Heqet: An apprentice at the goldsmith shop who becomes good friends with Ranofer. He loves to make people laugh, and frequently likens personal situations to humorous analogies.
- Rekh: The head goldsmith of the shop where Ranofer works.
- Ibni: Gebu's Babylonian accomplice in the gold-stealing operation.
- Thutra: Ranofer's deceased father, a renowned goldsmith in Thebes.
- Ancient: An elderly man whom Ranofer meets one day in the marshes of the Nile. His real name is never revealed, but he becomes a close friend of Ranofer and Heqet. He collects papyrus stalks for a living and loads them onto the back of his donkey, Lotus.
- Wenamon: Add a description of this character.
Memorable Quotes
-
“Aye, well enough, though I do not know my head from my tail in this place, as the cat said when she tumbled into the fowler's net. (20)”
Heqet -
“Seen any hangings lately? (148)”
Ancient - Show all quotations from this book (warning: contains spoilers)
First Sentence
THE stream of molten gold flowed smoothly from the crucible, reflecting in its surface the cloudless blue of the Egyptian sky.
Table of Contents
Authors & Contributors
- Eloise Jarvis McGraw (Author)
Awards
- Newbery Honor (1962)
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