The main idea in Cleopatra Confesses is her struggle to power. Her two vindictive older sisters, Tryphaena and Berenike,  have been fighting for a spot as queen and believe that she has " no reason to have the least thought about [her] duties [as] queen" (Meyer 76). Which means they believe she will never be in the position of power due to the fact they are supposed to be the next in line for the throne. Although they are the oldest and next in line her father's "wish is for [her] to rule Egypt" (Meyer 41), and she will, with time. After she is finally Queen she has to share her power with her, too young to rule, younger brother, Ptolemy XIII. He eventually grows mad with power and starts a war against her. She not only has to deal with this, but has to pay back the debt her father had built up over the years to Rome. This arises a whole new conflict for her to overcome. She eventually dissolves this issue by building a relationship with Caesar, the ruler of Rome at that point in time. Unfortunately in the end Caesar is murdered and Octavian, his nephew, is put in place of power because his actual son was never recognized as the rightful heir. When Octavian takes over Egypt he demands that Cleopatra hands over herself, and her treasures, but she refuses to be held prisoners and commits suicide.

Cleopatra was in fact the daughter of King Ptolemy XII, and was Caesars mistress. She came to throne when she was 18 years old and co-ruled with her 10 year old brother, Ptolemy XIII, just like in the book. Caesar and Cleopatra did have a child together, and he was brutally murdered. After his death his nephew Octavian came to rule and when he decided to take over Egypt he told Cleopatra to hand herself over as prisoner. She refused to be held captive and decided to commit suicide. These are just some of the historical references. Carolyn Meyer is the acclaimed author of more than fifty books for young adults and children. She got a degree in English from Buckhill University and served as an editor for her high school years before. Throughout her life she was in love with writing and worked hard on her writings. Cleopatra Confesses was just one of her great pieces of literature.  It focused on her life as a teenager. The book portrayed her as very cunning and observant. It showed the reader her ruthlessness towards her family and her family's envy towards her. It was sibling rivalry at its height.