The Anubis Tapestry: Between Twilights

It's a normal day for a normal boy, Chance Henry. School was over and he was playing basketball with his friend, Holly, when his dad, an archaeologist, suggested he wipe off debris from crates to prepare for a museum's new sarcophagi exhibit. Not being the athletic type, Chance was happy to oblige. As Chance's father reads the text inscribed on the sarcophagi a magical thing happens - the mummy comes to life. This mummy, Sehti, is evil and steals Chance's father to the Underworld. Chance then meets another mummy, Osirius, who weakens Sehti temporarily, causing him to leave. Osirius is a mummy working for good and wants to stop Sehti. Chance will do anything to get his father back, even if it means turning into a mummy himself. The tape that Osirius is wrapped in is part of a magical Anubis Tapestry, which, when wrapped around Chance's arm, gives him magical powers. Powers he will need to defeat Sehti, survive the Underworld, get his father's soul back, and master the deadly guardians of the Underworld. I guess Chance Henry isn't as normal as he thinks, is he? The action begins in the very first chapter. The story moves very fast, and is recommended for younger, reluctant readers. Reviewed by: Jeremey

Thirteen years old Chance Henry says "it started out to be a normal day" in Portland, Oregon. The weeks of rain had stopped and the sun was shining as Holly "Hercules" Whipple whips his butt in basketball again. However before she can humiliate him, he hears the dreaded words "I need your help"; his dad Dr. George Henry curator of the Portland Museum of Eastern Antiquities Museum has paged him again. Like Chance thought earlier this is just a normal day. However, normal becomes quite abnormal when a light shines from inside a recently acquires sarcophagus. A mummy steps out of a tomb and soon George is wrapped inside the bandages while the creature collapses into a pile of sand. Chance is unaware that the Time of Anubis has begun as Sehti has taken over his father's body while George's soul is drifting amidst the Egyptian Underworld. Chance knows he must somehow save his father so he risks binding some of the mummy's bandages on his arms, trusting that he can keep himself from turning and rescue his father; Chance's friends like Holly and Hayden, and a new pal Blixx help him with his quest. Targeting elementary school children, this is a terrific horror-fantasy starring a young teen who gains confidence that he had previously lacked while on a dangerous quest to rescue his father and perhaps the world. The story line is filled with action while illustrations enhance the solid plot. Young readers will root for Chance and his trusty teammates as they battle against ancient evil that has returned. Harriet Klausner