Download Hi Res Photo
Download Lo Res Photo
Download Bio
CONTACT INFO
About Malayna
Malayna Evans spent ten years in the Chicago media market, another ten in academia, and the last decade as an entrepreneur. Years after earning her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, her son, then nine, suggested she write a story about a kid, who looked like him, lost in ancient Egypt.
Excited both by the idea of sharing her passion for ancient history with today’s middle graders and pursuing her dream of becoming a published author, she jumped into the project with abandon. Her debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, was released in 2019. Book two, Aria Jones & the Guardian’s Wedja came out in 2020, with a third book expected in 2021.
A single mom with two kids and a rescue dog, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL. She spends much of her time writing — and balancing her writing with kids and career — but she’s “mature” enough to have wandered through Havana with her kids, shopped the souks of Bangkok and Istanbul, eaten her way through Italy, enjoyed deep sea diving in Bermuda, and, of course, trekked the ruins of Egypt. She loves (e)meeting new people so reach out to her on Twitter, Instagram or Goodreads or visit her at www.malaynaevans.com
Malayna enjoys interviews, book signings and class visits so email her here to schedule.
Title by Malayna Evans
May 28, 2019
Available at: Amazon, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & More
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948671-62-0
Price: $12.99
Approx. 200 pages
Middle Grade historical fantasy
Malayna’s Work
Malayna’s debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, features a biracial thirteen-year-old whiz kid from Chicago’s South Side traveling over 3,000 years back in time to the court of Amarna, Egypt, with his eleven-year-old sister, Aria, in tow.
Jagger, a devoted history buff, is shocked when he discovers that books don’t teach you everything there is to know. Sure he knew ancient Egyptians believed in magic, but he didn’t expect amulets that alter time and space, giant crocodiles with blood red eyes and teeth like daggers, and evil generals who want to murder the royal family and, by extension, Jagger’s own. It’s enough to make even a die-hard Egyptophile like Jagger anxious to get back to Chicago.
The series was inspired both by Malayna’s son and by her favorite ancient Egyptian blessing: ankh, wedja, seneb, which means (may you have) life, prosperity, and health. In book one, Malayna explores both modern and ancient notions of “life.” Books two and three will similarly contrast modern and ancient ideas surrounding “prosperity” and “health,” respectively. The series juxtaposes modern modes of thinking and objects with ancient artifacts, people and beliefs. But mostly … mummies!
Download Excerpt
To make learning about Egypt fun for teens and tweens, Malayna is offering an escape room style activity to educators.
Download Activity
Five Unexpected Things About Me
Media Release
Egyptologist Transports Children from Chicago to Ancient Egypt in Diverse Middle Grade Novel
New Middle Grade Time Travel Novel, Jagger Jones & the Mummy’s Ankh, Released May 28, 2019
(CHICAGO, IL. 2019) On May 28, Oak Park author Malayna Evans and publisher Tantrum Books released Jagger Jones & The Mummy’s Ankh, a debut middle grade novel. The story draws on the author’s Ph.D. in Egyptian History from University of Chicago and features diverse protagonists, inspired by her son, who told her, at nine-years-old, that he wanted to read a book featuring a biracial American kid like him visiting ancient Egypt.
In Jagger Jones & The Mummy’s Ankh, two South Side siblings are transported three thousand years back in time to ancient Egypt and sent on quest to save the royal family in order to get back home. The book combines magic and adventure with real historical people, places and artifacts. “I’m drawn to anything that pulls different cultures together and contrasts the human values we all share with the differences that make us unique,” Malayna said. “So, for example, in Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, I’ve highlighted aspects of ancient life I knew would surprise modern kids, like boys wearing makeup and kids being bald, while also excavating how things we take for granted would shock people of the past. Jagger’s smartphone, and his little sister’s bubblegum, make quite an impression in ancient Egypt.”
Read more >>
Contact Malayna
 |  |  |