by Caroline Lawrence (Author)
Flavia Gemina is brilliant at finding things, so it's natural for her to solve mysteries. The daughter of a ship's captain living in Ostia, the port of Rome, in AD79, she acquires a gang of three friends who help her. There is Jonathan, the Jewish boy (and secretly a Christian) who has just moved in next door; Nubia, the African slave girl Flavia's father buys to save her from a terrible fate; and Lupus, a ragged homeless boy who is mysteriously mute. Together they work out who severed the heads of the watchdogs that guard people's homes, and why he did it. Caroline Lawrence, a first-time writer, is a terrific storyteller who creates a wonderfully vivid picture of daily life in the colourful, bustling port of Ostia while never labouring the historical detail. THE THIEVES OF OSTIA is first and foremost a whodunnit, with lots of excitement and plot twists.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Edition: 1st edition
Publisher: Orion Children's Books
Published: 20 Sep 2001
ISBN 10: 1842550799
ISBN 13: 9781842550793
Children’s book age: 9-11 Years
Book Overview: Lindsey Davies for children A unique concept, potentially as appealing as HORRIBLE HISTORIES Ancient Rome a top subject - National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3 A mythological element - National Curriculum Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 Latin is starting to be taught again Fresh, original, and easy to read, with attractive characters children can identify with Over 900,000 copies of the series sold so far Rights sold in 17 territories Inspiration for the prime time BBC TV series