We doubt that every Egyptian slave girl led a life as romantic as Mara's, but this classic young-adult story of love and espionage during the reign of Hatshepsut is irresistible. Eloise Jarvis McGraw brings the palace at Thebes (and all its intrigues) brilliantly to life. There are good reasons why this book is still in print after almost 50 years.  (EGY92, $6.99)