Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Abridged by Chris van Wyk Illustrated by Paddy Bouma
Macmillan Children’s Books

THIS IS an attractively presented hard­cover version of Nelson’s Mandela’s autobiography, simplified and abridged by Chris van Wyk (Shirley, Goodness and Mercy). The illustrations by Paddy Bouma are lively and add an appealing dimension to the text.

The book has a timeline of ­major events in Mandela’s life and a glossary of difficult terms, which should make it ideal for school ­libraries: something children can use for projects, as well as being an easy introduction to the life of a great man, and the history of South Africa.

Inevitably, it has lost nuance and detail, but if it inspires just a fraction of those who read it to go on and read and learn more, it will have done its job. The Nelson Mandela Foundation has given the book its official support.

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Fiona Ingram
iUniverse Inc

PUBLISHED in the United States, where it was a ­finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, this book, with a South African flavour, is for young teens.

The author went to school in Durban and to the then University of Natal. The book is the story of two young cousins from Durban who go to Egypt on a trip with their aunt and grandmother. Ingram went on a similar trip with her mother and her nephews.

On their first day in Egypt, a mysterious man gives one of the boys four scarabs. Three are tourist souvenirs, but one is different and leads the children into an adventure down the Nile, into the Valley of the Kings, to undiscovered tombs and great danger. It is a rollicking tale, in which the young protagonists have to rely on their wits and their courage as they come up against influential crooks out to get their hands on some of Egypt’s greatest ­archaeological treasures.

Pacy and lively, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the first in a projected series. It is available at Exclusive Books and from www.kalahari.net. Visit www.secretofthesacredscarab.com

— Books Editor.