Black Sands, the Seven Kingdoms, Vol 5

Gr 7 Up–History meets myth in this exciting comic for middle schoolers. Set in ancient Egypt, this graphic novel follows teen Ausar and his friends as they fight for the safety of their kingdom. Ausar, who hopes to rule someday, must navigate the trenches of Minoa and lead a desperate attempt to halt an incursion beneath the mountain. This installment of the long-running “Black Sands” series, is best enjoyed after reading the previous issues for full context. The plot moves quickly, delivering constant thrills at every turn. Lenormand’s illustrations enhance the story’s energy, and characters exhibit realistically varying skin tones. The richly illustrated collection focuses on early African and Middle Eastern history, with adventure sequences interspersed and informative sections explaining the mythology behind the characters and stories included. Readers will appreciate the blend of ancient history and comic book storytelling.