The Alabaster Jar and the Hidden Tomb — Marie Sontag

Having found a home with his adoptive family, fourteen-year-old Samsuluna (Sam) now moves to Egypt with Balashi and Amata where his quest to solve the mystery of the hidden tomb threatens to tear his family apart.* * *Amata gasped as Sam shone the light on the sarcophagus revealing a broken statue of Anubis, his jackal-shaped head not far from his wooden body. Stepping around the headless statue, Sam shone the light on a broken canopic chest, its sides colorfully decorated with the images of Osiris, Isis, Nut, and Thoth.Amata stepped closer to the chest. Look here, Sam. She pulled four canopic jars out of the damaged container.Don't open those! Even in the dim light, Sam caught her glare. I know what these are, Sam. They contain what is left of this Egyptian's insides preserved here for the afterlife. She traced the edges of the limestone jars then placed them next to the broken container.Sam shifted his attention to another broken chest. In the dim light, he made out the shapes of several wooden shabtis. They must have fallen out of the wooden box. The shabtis looked like miniature Egyptians, each carrying a basket of tools.Amata moved to the other side of the sarcophagus. Sam! Bring the lamp over here.Before he reached her, a loud crash boomed. Amata shrieked.He rushed to her side, but his legs gave way as his body plunged into a dark hole.