Book Review: History in the Faking by Andreas Oertel

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

The dry season has left the small town of Sultana, Manitoba struggling. The tourists no longer want to camp along the nearly dry riverbed. The loss of tourism causes financial hardship to the residents who depend on it to eek out a living. Cody gets nervous about his best friend's mom restaurant job. If she loses it, his friend, Eric and his twin sister, Rachel will have to move. Cody will do anything to keep his friends in town. Even if that means creating a hoax that will bring visitors to Sultana.

Cody, Eric and Rachel set to work on creating an "ancient Egyptian" tablet, which chronicles a group of travelers from Egypt who make it up the Mississippi River only to find themselves stranded in Manitoba. When Dr. Murray (some type of retired doctor) "discovers" the tablet along the riverbed, it brings a buzz of activity to Sultana. The group of friends find themselves in a bind with seemingly no way out.

Oertel takes an implausible event and turns it into a delightful archeological adventure sure to hook readers who will no doubt want to read the next book in the series. Solid middle grade book that will appeal equally to boys and girls while peaking their interest in archeology.

Rating:  Recommended ★★★★☆

Publishing Information: 

Publisher: Wandering Fox Books

Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 978-1-772030-082

Ages: 8-1

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