In some scenes, the children find dogs' heads (separate from the dogs' bodies) stuck up on poles. The first of the Roman Mysteries is a whodunit that tells you just what it was like to live in Ancient Rome. Their investigations take them to the harbour, the forum, and the tombs of the dead, as they try to discover who is killing the dogs of Ostia and why. The theft of her father's signet ring leads her to three extraordinary people - Jonathan the Jewish boy next door, Nubia the African slave-girl, and Lupus the mute beggar boy - who become her friends.

Reading Through History: The Golden Goblet by Eloi.Flavia Gemina, a Roman sea captain's daughter, is about to embark on a thrilling adventure.

Reading Through History: Pharaoh's Daughter by Jul.

Reading Through History: The Bronze Bow by Elizabe.

Reading Through History: A Long Day in November by.

Reading Through History: The Thieves of Ostia by C.

Reading with Little Miss Muffet: January 2015.

Kids should also be prepared for an overwhelming desire to read the second book right away, as the ominous epilogue talks of the peace and safety the children will enjoy in Pompeii over the summer. The four embark on a search for the killer&150and that's when the excitement begins. Her investigation leads her to three extraordinary people: Jonathan, her new neighbor Nubia, an African slave and Lupus, a mute beggar boy. Flavia Gemina, a Roman sea captain's daughter, is about to embark on a thrilling adventure. The dogs on Flavia's street have started dying mysteriously, and she is determined to find out why. Though the mystery can be enjoyed by any reader, this series will be that much more fun to read for kids who are simultaneously learning about ancient Rome, as they will understand references to place names, rulers (like Vespasian and Titus, his successor), and events. The Thieves of Ostia by Caroline Lawrence: 9780807223437 : Books The place is Ostia, the port of Rome. Though the story is fictional, the historical events in this book occur as they really happened. Parents and teachers will want to use their discretion when suggesting this book to specific readers. Some of these scenes would definitely be too graphic for a fourth or fifth grader, even though the reading level and characters would be a perfect fit. Beheaded dogs are described in detail, and some of the children witness a brutal suicide.

Girls are routinely rounded up on the streets and sold into slavery.

Lupus, the young boy who is mute, has had his tongue cut from his mouth. Interestingly, and unexpectedly, this book is considerably darker and more violent than the front cover on either the paperback or hardcover edition suggests. Readers will feel at home with the characters, which in turn, will help them become invested in the historical details intertwined with the plot.

The dialogue is written very informally, and the way the characters interact with one another is similar to the way tween friendships are portrayed in novels set in the present day. Despite the ancient setting, the writing in this book has a strong contemporary vibe.

The thieves of ostia