By: Henry Winterfeld Publisher: Odyssey Classics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Odyssey Classics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 272 Publication Date: November 01, 2002 Reading Level: Ages 4-8
In these two delightful history-mysteries, seven boys in Ancient Rome solve strange crimes . . . thanks to some help from their cranky teacher, a little bit of logic, and a lot of amusing misadventure.
Yes, Rufus wrote CAIUS IS A DUMBBELL on his tablet at school, but no, he did not break into the schoolroom, did not tie up his teacher, and certainly did not paint his slur about Caius on the Temple of Minerva (even if it is in Rufus's own handwriting). Rufus is doomed unless his six classmates can find out who is really responsible. Every hour seems to bring a new, confusing clue . . . until the boys finally stumble upon someone who is not what he appears to be.
Don't judge a book by the teacher who assigned it Written by my son Zach: I was very disssapointed when my history teacher gave my class this book to read. But when I started reading it, I just couldn't stop beacause I kep trying to figure out what was going to happen in the story. I also learned a lot about Rome by reading this book.
Excellent book for reading aloud! My kids really enjoyed this book. I read it aloud to them last year, when they were in 2nd & 3rd grade, as part of our study of ancient civilizations. The book is set in ancient Rome, but the children are essentially modern. My kids related to them much more than they did to, say, Laura and Mary Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie. Those girls were very much part of the pioneer era they lived in and my kids consider them humorless and boring (blasphemy -- I loved those girls!), unlike the lively boys in this book.
At any rate, the book is a delightful way to learn many interesting facts about daily life in Rome, from how people got their daily news to what their homes and schools were like to what people ate to how the roman baths were cleaned, etcetera.
If you are not inclined to read aloud to your child (and if not, check out Jim Trelease "The Read-Aloud Handbook" - it may change your mind!), I think this book is better suited for the older elementary child, or for one with superior comprehension. My children did ask lots of questions during the reading of this book.
As good as I remembered it Believe it or not, I first read Detectives in Togas when I was 9. That was a long, long time ago. I was thrilled when I found the paperback re-issue in the bookstore and bought it for my daughter. She is only 5, but loves history already. We are having a wonderful time, with me reading it to her and answering her questions about Roman history as best I can. I'm better with Egyptian and medieval history than Roman, but I manage.
great product The book was delivered quickly and in great shape. No problems with transaction. This book was great for the unit I teach about Ancient Rome.
Recommend Two of my children read this and couldn't put it down. They loved it! I would recommend it to those that like historical fiction/who-done-it thrillers!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
