For thousands of years, people have flocked to the desert outside of what is now Cairo to see the three Great Pyramids and the noble Sphinx that lies in their shadow. James Cross Giblin looks at the history of the Sphinx—how and why scholars believe it was built and the fascination it has prompted from its earliest days—in a highly visual volume that blends his informative narrative with interpretive paintings by Bagram Ibatoulline. Giblin’s text is divided into short (1–3 page) sections and includes information on relevant related topics such as the Rosetta Stone, which helped unlock the secrets of the Sphinx, and the legend of Atlantis, an alluring story promoted by spiritualist Edgar Cayce. Cayce also theorized that documents recounting the history of Atlantis were buried in chambers beneath the Sphinx’s paws. His followers funded research expeditions to drill beneath the Sphinx, potentially compromising its structural integrity until the Egyptian government put a halt to their activities. This is one of a number of incidents Giblin chronicles regarding the damage the Sphinx has suffered throughout its history, some of it intentional, some of it caused by ignorance or, in the case of pollution, human progress. Giblin does a superb job presenting scientific research, including questions still unanswered or debated, in an engaging, accessible volume. (Ages 8–14)

James Cross Giblin, this year's winner of the Sibert Medal, has written a stunning exploration of one of history's most mysterious structures.

The Great Sphinx is one of the largest sculptures in the world. Six stories high and a city block wide, it has stood guard over the pyramids of Egypt's Giza Plateau for 4,500 years. Who built the Sphinx and why? And how did primitive sculptors manage to carve such a towering monument? In search of answers, James Cross Giblin takes readers back to a time before written history and traces the trail of clues left behind by the ancient Egyptians. As he explores various theories, Giblin seamlessly incorporates fascinating information on the pyramids, the Rosetta Stone, Atlantis, and more.