Michael Hoffen and the protagonist in his new book are both teenagers, but there’s quite an age gap between them—about 4,000 years. In Hoffen’s new book, BE A SCRIBE: Working For a Better Life in Ancient Egypt (Callaway Children’s Classics, April 9, 2024), he brings to life the story of a young Egyptian, Pepi, whose father, Kheti, is intent on getting his son a job in the royal court. Hoffen, who has been translating ancient texts since middle school, became fascinated by a 4,000-year-old or so piece of literature from ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom known as The Instruction of Khety, or “The Satire of the Trades.” Under the guidance and collaboration of his two co-authors, Egyptologists Christian Casey and Jen Thum, Hoffen spent three-and-a-half years translating hieroglyphics to modern-day prose and gathering images to tell the story of Kheti and Pepi. Beyond the words, which reveal a wit that transcends 4,000 years, ancient Egypt comes to life with more than 100 beautiful images of vibrant and colorful ancient Egyptian artifacts, paintings, graphics and illustrations that are featured throughout the book. This young author, a scribe himself, has given us a tale that helps us to see just how little the human condition has changed in thousands of years. Parents still want the best for their children and teenagers face important decisions as they set out on their career path. For younger readers, the book serves as an inspiration for their own journey toward gaining greater knowledge, exercising intellectual curiosity and, perhaps, finding their own career paths.  

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