Orion Children's Books The Roman Mysteries: The Thieves of Ostia: 1

Recommend for year 4 Cornerstones Curriculum, my form liked it, but not for children who are easily frightened or prone to nightmares. Cant say anymore without giving story away, but would say read it before giving it to your child. Be prepared for lots of questions too.

I had the privilege of meeting Caroline Lawrence about two years ago, and I went and bought this, the first of her books, at once, which is something I nearly always do after meeting an author. Given that my pile of "To Be Read" books is never less than 50, and I have a young family, I didn't get around to reading it until yesterday, when I got a chance while on holiday. What a treat it was!The Thieves of Ostia is a delightful and well-written read, full of accurate yet lightly woven-in descriptions of 1st century AD Roman Italy. The heroine, the courageous Flavia, is a curious girl with more than a touch of the detective's skill. As the story progresses, she makes friends with Jonathan, Nubia and the mute beggar boy, Lupus. These three become her willing co-sleuths as Flavia tries to discover who is killing dogs in her neighbourhood.The book is short, fast-paced and full of wry humour. The descriptions of life in Ostia, from its temples, houses, forum and harbour, to the people who lived, worked and died in it, are richly detailed. Lawrence has not, as I suspected she might (because of her intended audience), shied away from the grim realities of life in ancient times. *Mild spoilers ahead* Thus we read about the deaths of people though rabies, see a suicide, and watch as wild dogs are shot down with arrows. These topics are dealt with with a delicate yet straightforward touch, in a manner that is entirely suitable for younger readers, but which also presents the brutal reality of life 2000 years ago. For this, Lawrence is to be commended highly. I for one will be heading for the second volume of the series, as soon as possible!Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion.

It arrived quickly, it is a bit shabby, the pages are a bit brown. It is the first book in the series and any young person and not so young should enjoy it.

The Roman times in which these adventures are set were certainly not gentle, and the engaging children who are the heroes and heroines of these stories face - and experience - some of the horrors of living in Roman times, when slavery was fundamental to daily life, and there were no friendly policemen. The children's adventures run at a fast and gripping pace, and the books are much enjoyed by my Year 4 and Year 5 Latin Club children (older children like them too), with their mixture of niceness and nastiness, adventure, bravery and overcoming the baddies (eventually), all set in a plausible physical and social environment. Perhaps not for the squeamish?

An amazing book. Yes, it is for children, but describes the area and the lifestyle so well. I have done a little study on Roman archeology, and this fits in with what I learned. Excellent