Escape from Egypt

January 12, 2015
Magically transported back to Exodus times, twins Scarlett and Sam join forces with a hunky Moses and Aaron (“they were built like basketball players—way taller and more muscular than any of the Egyptians”) and a no-nonsense Miriam (“You can tell who’s boss in this family,” says Scarlett). When all three Bible heroes reveal they can’t swim, it’s the twins who guide the Israelites into the Red Sea. Kimmel (Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins) goes for an ambitious storytelling mashup, assisted by Stevanovic’s sculptural, emotionally vivid spot illustrations. There’s domestic drama (Moses and Pharaoh revert to stepbrotherly taunting), Time Warp Trio–style irreverence (Sam cites the History Channel and Food Channel as sources of his expertise), mild narrative experimentation (the first nine plagues are a podcast transcript), and expressions of a confident faith (“God does what God does,” Moses says when the slaying of the first born includes the twins’ newfound friend, Pharaoh’s son). The story doesn’t always hang together, but it reads at a fast clip and should spark conversation about what the Passover story chooses to reveal. Ages 6–9. Author’s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agency: Tugeau2. (Feb.)■

December 15, 2014
While arguing over their role in a Passover Seder, twins Sam and Scarlett are whisked away to ancient Egypt on grandmother's magic carpet.There, they are enslaved along with the other Jews, and they encounter Moses and Aaron, who involve them in negotiations with Pharaoh to free the slaves. Moses and Pharaoh, who is portrayed as a whining, jealous despot, argue constantly, calling each other childish names. The children witness the devastation of the 10 plagues, triggered when Pharaoh reneges on promises to let the Jews leave Egypt. The 10th plague kills his son Seti, whom the twins have come to admire. They witness the parting of the Red Sea and the bittersweet rejoicing that follows. They return home ready to embrace and share the ritual of the Seder and with a greater respect for their heritage. Kimmel keeps the story flowing at a rapid pace, employing 21st-century tone and syntax for the twins as well as the ancients with whom they interact. Although traditionalists may disapprove of this approach, it's accessible for modern young readers of all religions and makes it possible for them to gain a modicum of understanding of this distant, biblical past. Stevanovic's grayscale illustrations also capture the ancient events with a decidedly contemporary manga flavor. Lively and thought-provoking. (historical note) (Fantasy. 8-12)

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