Maisie vs the Pyramids

By Author / Illustrator

Jack Jackman

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow

ISBN

9781805131373

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-06-2026

Synopsis

Filled with humour, heart and a touch of the supernatural, this brilliant series takes you on non-stop globe-trotting adventures - perfect for the most intrepid of readers! An action-packed cross between Adventures on Trains and My Brother is a Superhero.

When Maisie travels with her dad to the Pyramids to research his book, How to Break Codes, she thought they'd mainly be looking at hieroglyphs. But after being drawn into a race to discover a secret tomb, Maisie finds herself having to survive a scorpion attack, a sandstorm and a hot air balloon ride after becoming lost in the desert.

With adventure at every turn, Maisie is in for a surprise as what she really discovers is another truth about herself. But is she ready to face it?

Have you read Maisie's other adventures? Maisie Vs Antarctica (Books Are My Bag Children's Book of the Month, October 2024); Maisie Vs The Himalayas

Praise for Maisie: "Perfect blend of laugh-out-loud comedy and high-stakes action" - Zohra Nabi, Waterstones Book of the Month author of The Kingdom Over the Sea; "A brilliant blend of mystery, survival and adventure, with a sprinkling of supernatural woven seamlessly in" - Tom Vaughan, Waterstones Book of the Month author of Hercules: The Diary of a (Sort of Hero).

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Reviews

Amy

Maisie vs the Pyramids by Jack Jackman is an exciting adventure story filled with mystery, action, and humour. It is part of the Maisie Vs… series and follows Maisie as she travels to Egypt with her dad.

What starts as a research trip soon turns into a thrilling quest to uncover a secret tomb hidden among the pyramids. Along the way, Maisie faces dangerous challenges, including scorpions, sandstorms, and being lost in the desert.

One of the best things about this book is its fast-paced plot. There is always something exciting happening, which kept me interested from beginning to end. The story combines real historical settings with mystery and a touch of the supernatural, making it both entertaining and imaginative. and full of surprises. Another story the children in my class are going to love!

256 pages

Linda

Maisie vs the Pyramids is the third adventure for Maisie and her dad. This globe-trotting adventure takes the reader across the Sahara Desert, into the depths of the Great Pyramids, and even provides a crash course in reading hieroglyphics.

The action begins immediately for the father and daughter team at the airport. Maisie feels as though they are being kidnapped when they are collected by Dr Jozef Tariq. She is confused - isn't Dr Tariq a woman? And why is her dad suddenly acting so strangely?

After a terrifying car accident - during which her dad has to stop time - they find themselves lost in the Sahara Desert, trying to locate base camp while avoiding deadly scorpions and the scorching heat. How will they survive?

At the heart of this book is the relationship between Maisie and her dad; the love they have for each other makes them really relatable to the reader. This story ( with an excerpt from another Maisie adventure at the back) is full of pacy adventure, humour, supernatural powers, and action, all perfectly suited to 9+ readers. The book would also be great for intervention groups or primary book clubs as there are quite a few opportunities for discussion and further reading.

A great read, and it has me wondering where the author's imagination will take Maisie on her next adventure.

256 pages / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian