For the child fascinated by ancient Egypt and its powerful queen, this book brings Cleopatra's incredible life story to life, exploring leadership and historical impact.
A parent might reach for this book when their child shows a budding interest in history, ancient civilizations, or stories about powerful real-life women. This biography from Usborne introduces young readers to Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, detailing her clever rise to power, her strategic alliances with Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and her ultimate tragic downfall. It touches upon themes of leadership, resilience in the face of political turmoil, and self-confidence. The accessible chapter-book format, filled with illustrations and maps, makes this complex historical narrative engaging for readers aged 8 to 12, offering a solid foundation for understanding a pivotal figure in world history.
The story ends with the protagonist's defeat, loss of her kingdom, and death.
Moral AmbiguityMild
Depicts ruthless political maneuvering and alliances that could spark discussion on ethics.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with historical conflict, political assassination (Caesar's death), war, and suicide (Cleopatra's and Antony's). The approach is factual and historical, presented as part of the narrative without dwelling on graphic detail. The resolution is historically accurate and therefore tragic. It frames Cleopatra's death as a final act of defiance and control, which is a key part of her legend.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is an 8- to 12-year-old who is graduating from fairy-tale princesses to real-world queens and leaders. They are curious about ancient history, particularly Egypt or Rome, and enjoy a story with drama, strategy, and a strong female protagonist. They are ready for a non-fiction book that reads like an adventure story.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the complexities of power, war, and suicide. It would be beneficial to preview the final chapters that detail Cleopatra's and Antony's deaths. The concept of using romance for political alliance is a sophisticated one that might need some context. The book itself is fairly self-contained, but questions about Roman history or the ethics of Cleopatra's choices are likely to arise. A parent has just seen their child finish a school project on ancient Egypt, or the child has started asking questions like, "Were there powerful queens in real life?" or "What happened to the pharaohs?" The child might be showing an interest in mythology or historical figures and is ready for a more fact-based story.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on the grand, exciting elements: Cleopatra's cleverness, her magnificent barge, the battles, and the dramatic snakebite. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the political maneuvering, the strategic thinking behind her alliances, and the tragic weight of her story as the end of an era for Egypt.
What Makes It Special
Compared to more text-heavy biographies like the "Who Was?" series, this Usborne book stands out for its highly visual, magazine-like layout. The integration of illustrations, maps, and bite-sized chunks of text makes the complex history feel dynamic and accessible, preventing young readers from getting bogged down in dense paragraphs.
Read plot summary
This book is a biographical account of the life of Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt. It covers her Ptolemaic heritage, her struggle for the throne against her brother, her strategic romantic and political alliances with Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony, her reign over Egypt, and her eventual war with Octavian (later Emperor Augustus). The narrative concludes with her defeat at the Battle of Actium and her famous suicide to avoid capture by the Romans.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Cleopatra made alliances with powerful Roman leaders like Caesar and Antony to protect Egypt. Do you think this was a smart strategy or a dangerous one? Why?
2
The book describes Cleopatra arriving on a magnificent golden barge to meet Antony. Why do you think she put on such a grand show? What does this tell us about how she used her image as a tool of power?
3
At the end of the book, Cleopatra chooses to die rather than be captured and paraded as a prisoner in Rome. What do you think about her final decision?
4
Even though she lost her kingdom, Cleopatra is still one of the most famous rulers in history. What qualities did she have that make her story so memorable thousands of years later?
