This is a story about the twin children of Cleopatra VII Philopator and Marcus Antonius the Roman Triumvir, named Cleopatra Selene (Moon) and Alexander Helios (Sun). The story is set in Alexandria around 35 BCE, making the twins around 6 years old. The tale features the famous lighthouse called the Pharos and the mystery surrounding its mechanics and optics. The plot centers on Moon’s desire to inspect its workings along with her brother. Angered at her exclusion, she contrives to get in, in spite of the obstacles. Girl power BCE.

There is much to recommend this book, but foremost would be exposure to the brilliant author, Naomi Mitchison the Scottish baroness with 90 books to her name. Several of her novels were set in the ancient world, with which she was very familiar. For a list and biography see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naomi_Mitchison. Like the author, Moon has a thirst for scientific knowledge and a resentment of arbitrary male privileges. Gender inequality is a theme and instead of punishment demanded by her authoritarian keepers, the wise Queen reinforces her precocious daughter’s initiative and curiosity, but not the risks she took.

Since the writing requires a fairly fluent reader, the recommended audience would be 7th - 8th grade adventurous kids with an emerging interest in STEM and an annoying sibling. There is one illustration with partially bare breasts (also on one cover), but it is appropriate to Cleopatra’s role. The book is out of print but available on many used book sites, especially in the UK. – Gregory N. Daugherty