From the series Strange History
The Peculiar Past in Ancient Rome
Reading Level Grades 4-5Interest Level Grades 4 – 7Copyright 2024
Reviewed
From the series Strange History
Reading Level Grades 4-5Interest Level Grades 4 – 7Copyright 2024
ReviewedAncient Rome was full of powerful emperors, fierce armies, and superstrong gladiators. But at times it was also seriously strange. Romans of the past pooped in public and watched chickens eat to determine their luck. Some even went to a fancy dinner where they were gifted with personalized silver gravestones on their way out the door. Uncover the terrible tales, surprising stories, and hard-to-believe history in ancient Rome.
Looking for something to grab the attention of reluctant history students? Try this series that focuses on the odd and unusual. Readers can learn about the fake beards worn by Egyptian pharaohs, rich Greeks buying the sweat from Olympic athletes, or Romans eating flamingo tongues. Photos of historic sites and artwork establish setting while comic illustrations and speech bubbles offer humorous touches. Vocabulary terms appear in colored text for easy identification. Back matter includes a glossary, suggested books for further reading, and a QR code to access online resources. VERDICT A fun way to introduce a unit or for individual enjoyment. The humorous approach will appeal to fans of “believe it or not” type books.
School Library Journal
