School Library Journal: Gr 3-6: Weitzman recounts the construction of a boat made for the Pharaoh Cheops and discusses its rediscovery and restoration in the 20th century. He weaves the history, texts, mythology, and customs of ancient Egypt into an effective narrative, drawing readers in through the processes used to build the vessel, which the Egyptians believed would guide Cheops to the afterlife. This step-by-step presentation breathes life into the history, shedding light on the motives and methods employed by the craftsmen. In addition, the author records the accomplishments of Egyptologist Ahmed Youssef Moustafa, revealing his passion and problem-solving abilities, such as visiting local boat builders in an attempt to decipher how to reconstruct the artifacts. The volume's stylized illustrations are inspired by the two-dimensional depictions from ancient Egyptian art. The paintings' earth tones, accentuated by bright greens and blues, are both appropriate for the subject matter and pleasing to the eye; the boat becomes more complete with each turn of the page. Finally, foldout pages reveal the pharaoh's boat in full restoration. Visual aids clarify the use and function of a toggle, an adze, a bow drill, etc. Pharaoh's Boat offers a unique glimpse into a common activity in ordinary ancient Egyptian life (boat building) instead of being just another book about mummies and pyramids.-Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA