After a long absence, Eloise Jarvis McGraw returns to children's books with an intriguing story of adventure in ancient Egypt. A gifted writer with a special talent for weaving background details into her books, Eloise McGraw has written a fascinating, authentic story of a young Egyptian boy, Ranofer.

Ranofer longed to be a goldsmith as his father had been. But his stepbrother Gebu would not apprentice him. So Ranofer had to be content with working at the goldsmith shop doing menial tasks.

If Ranofer was not happy, at least he was content to work with those who learned to mold beautiful goblets or jewelry from the yellow gold.

But suddenly Gebu took him from the goldsmith and apprenticed him to Gebu's own stonecutting shop. To be suddenly thrown into a world of harsh, cold stone and the cruel teachings of Gebu was more than Ranofer could bear. 

Then he found the goblet. In Gebu's room, Ranofer found a beautiful golden goblet which he knew had been stolen.

With his two friends, Heget and The Ancient, Ranofer began to unravel the mystery of the stolen goblet. 

How they discover Gebu's evil work, and how Ranofer realizes his most cherished dream brings a satisfying climax to this exciting glimpse into history.

From the dust jacket