The Thieves of Ostia

If you are trying to find a book that will grab the imagination of your 8, 9, 10 or 11 year old, then the Roman Mystery Series is your answer.

The Thieves of Ostia, by Caroline Lawrence, is the first book her still-growing series, Roman Mysteries. The story takes place in Ostia, ancient Rome’s port (and a place you can still visit today), where Flavia Gemina, daughter of a sea captain; her neighbor, Jonathan; Lupus, a young beggar; and Nubia, an African slave solve the mystery of a slain dog.

The book is fast-paced with lots of action and adventure: Flavia and her companions are chased by a pack of wild dogs, they narrowly escape malicious slave traders, and they discover that their chief suspect has committed suicide by jumping from a lighthouse. It’s enough to keep any young reader turning the pages.

But the book also gives a great overview of daily life in an ancient Roman city with its descriptions of architecture, politics, religion, slave trading, and economics. And, it’s the perfect book to give a young traveler headed to Rome or one who’s already been to the Eterna. Even better, if you’re travelling to Rome with grade-school age children in tow, read them the book and then plan a trip to Ostia Antica - it’s easy to get to by public transportation - so they can see just where Flavia Gemina and her friends lived.