The Scarab’s Secret

The tiniest of creatures can change the fate of a great Pharaoh.

The chance meeting of Khepri, the small scarab beetle, and a powerful Pharaoh turns out to be a life-altering experience for both, ultimately shaping the fate of the young leader. After Khepri uncovers a mysterious plot to murder the Pharaoh, he is determined to put an end to it. The tiny scarab with a big heart helps the Pharaoh avert danger and saves his life. 

The Scarab’s Secret is a beautiful story that shows that even small things—like the scarab—can make a big impact. The scarab beetle narrates his own story to show the reader how he came to be honored. When the scarab is accidentally taken into the Pharaoh’s tomb, he learns that one of the passageways has a trap. When the Pharoah’s men try to lead him down the trap, the scarab warns the Pharoah and saves his life. The scarab’s tale shows “how even a little beetle can play its part in the life of a great prince.” 

Christina Balit’s illustrations use vivid colors and geometric shapes to bring Egypt to life. The first illustration shows the Pharaoh kneeling in a field with the Nile River in the background, the prince carefully holding the scarab in his hand. This scene sets up the scarab’s importance. The other pages focus on the Pharaoh’s tomb, depicted with elaborate illustrations in predominantly gold and blue. Readers will be captivated by the detailed illustrations and will have fun finding the scarab on each page. 

While The Scarab’s Secret is intended for young readers, many of the pages are text-heavy, which may make it hard for wiggly readers to sit through a reading. The complex sentence structure and advanced vocabulary make the book best read to a child rather than for the child to read it independently.

Anyone who wants to introduce Egyptian culture to a child will find The Scarab’s Secret an entertaining story. The fact that the Pharaoh takes time to notice the scarab reinforces the importance of nature and the idea that everything has a purpose, even a scarab. The author’s note gives more information about pharaohs. Young readers who would like to learn more about Egypt should also read Escape from Egypt by Wendy Mass as well as Mary Pope Osborne’s books Mummies and Pyramids and Mummies in the Morning.  

Sexual Content  

• None 

Violence  

• The Pharaoh’s men plan to murder him. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural 

• None  

Spiritual Content  

• The god Ra is mentioned several times. “The great god Ra created all things. . . This beetle is as precious to Ra as the pharaoh himself. Ra has placed him here for a reason.”  
• This historical background at the end of the book discusses the Egyptians’ belief in gods.