This book is recommended reading from our school's guide to classical literature. It fits in with the study of ancient Egypt by second grade students by depicting daily life from another era in a way children can appreciate. Senefer's mother makes things to sell at the marketplace. His mother is anxious when she can't find her youngest child in the market. In this way,daily life from thousands of years ago has similar elements to daily life today. Senefer is good at math and it earns him a chance to study with a teacher. Colorful pictures and a simple story line, allow the reader to glimpse life in a different place and time in a personal way, bringing a "dry and dusty" subject to life.