Who was King Tut?

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: Who Was King Tut? 

Author: Roberta Edwards

Illustrator: True Kelley

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Publication Date: March, 2006

Genre/Format: Non-Fiction; Biography/Novel

Goodreads Summary: Ever since Howard Carter uncovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, the young pharaoh has become a symbol of the wealth and mystery of ancient Egypt. Now, a two-and-a-half-year-long museum exhibit of Tut’s treasures is touring major cities in the U.S., drawing record crowds. This Who Was . . . ? is complete with 100 black-and-white illustrations and explains the life and times of this ancient Egyptian ruler, covering the story of the tomb’s discovery, as well as myths and so-called mummy curses.

What I Think: Although ultimately this book is a biography of King Tut, it also is a history book of Egypt. Not much is known about the child pharoah that a small amount of the book is actually about him. More is about his father and other aspects of Egyptian history. 

     I was a big fan on how the book was set up. There are chapters that are a bit narrative and within the chapters there are extra informative sidebars to add to the story being told. I will definitely get more books from the "Big Head Biography" series in the future. I think they make history and biographies so accessible to children. 

     This book piggie backed nicely with Athena's Son which I read a week ago and would be a great nonfiction connection with it, the Kane Chronicles, Aphrodite the Diva, and any other book with Egyptian mythology.

Read Together: Grades 3 - 8

Read Alone: Grades 4 - 7

Read With: Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck, Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan, Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams, Nonfiction books about Egyptian history and mythology

Snatch of Text: "Ancient Egypt was the first place to develop a written language. Boys learned to read and write starting at four years old. Did Tut know how? Probably. Writing materials were put inside his tomb. A beautiful brush case belonging to Tut was made from wood covered in gold foil with gemstones. If Tut didn't feel like doing his own writing, be could have had a scribe do it for him. A scribe's job was to write down all the pharaoh's orders and letters for him." (p. 30-31)

Mentor Text for: Narrative non-fiction/biography, Non-fiction Text Features

Writing Prompts: King Tut's death is a mystery. Based on the facts given in this books, what do you think happened to King Tut? Use text evidence to support your answer. 

Topics Covered: Integration - Egyptian history, King Tut, Nefertiti, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep, Egyptian mythology, mummies

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