Rating: 
Summary: the thieves of ostia
Review: the thieves of ostia is a wonderful book.It is part of the Roman Mysteries. The second book is called The Secrets of Vesuvius. The Pirates of Pompeii is the third book. These books are set in the year 79 A.D. The Thieves of Ostia is about four kids. Flavia is the main character. Jonathan lives next door to Flavia and became her friend. Lupus is a boy who Flavia and Jonathan find and he had his tongue cut out, so he can't talk. He can only use signlanguage. Nibia is a slave girl who Fiavia's dad buys her from an ugly slave dealer. Nibia can't speak Engilsh and Flavia dosen't use her as a slave.The mystery in this book is when someone start beheading dogs,and taking there heads.The four kids don't know who did it but there determined to find out.I like this book because I like mysteries and if you do like myteries you will love this book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, Excellent Series
Review: The Thieves of Ostia is the first book in a series titled the Roman Mysteries. The entire series is a wonderful read for youngsters. The books deal with four kids (8 - 10) who get involved with various problems. These are not Hardy Boy mysteries, but are involved and difficult situations - not for the squeamish. People die; slaves are beaten; dogs are killed and mutilated; kids are buried by an erupting Vesuvius....The books don't hold back; they stare unflinchingly at ancient practices. The author doesn't preach that slavery is wrong, she simply shows it. One of the characters is miserable because he is an outsider as a Jew among Romans, yet is also an outsider as a Christian among Jews. This is great stuff. Just a note. We were living in England where the books are published first. The author is an American who went to study in England and stayed...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, Excellent Series
Review: The Thieves of Ostia is the first book in a series titled the Roman Mysteries. The entire series is a wonderful read for youngsters. The books deal with four kids (8 - 10) who get involved with various problems. These are not Hardy Boy mysteries, but are involved and difficult situations - not for the squeamish. People die; slaves are beaten; dogs are killed and mutilated; kids are buried by an erupting Vesuvius. ...The books don't hold back; they stare unflinchingly at ancient practices. The author doesn't preach that slavery is wrong, she simply shows it. One of the characters is miserable because he is an outsider as a Jew among Romans, yet is also an outsider as a Christian among Jews. This is great stuff. Just a note. We were living in England where the books are published first. The author is an American who went to study in England and stayed...
Rating:
Summary: the thieves of ostia
Review: This fast-paced story leads young readers through an action-packed adventure while
trying to introduce them to Roman life in the first century CE. While the story
grabs the reader's interest from start to finish, historical distortions abound.
Historical objects and their uses are described well in context, and the violence of
everyday life feels realistic. But social relationships are modern and contrived.
Twenty-first century cultural diversity is forced upon the cast of characters so that a
rich sea captain's daughter, a Jewish/Christian convert boy, a black Nubian slave,
and an abused tongueless beggar boy become instant friends to solve a crime.
Unrealistic depictions of human nature, scientific fact -- even dog behavior --
distract from the story at every turn. The special thrill of historical fiction, of
immersing oneself in a different time, is missing here.
Rating: 
Summary: fast-paced story, but annoying distortions
Review: This fast-paced story leads young readers through an action-packed adventure while
trying to introduce them to Roman life in the first century CE. While the story
grabs the reader's interest from start to finish, historical distortions abound.
Historical objects and their uses are described well in context, and the violence of
everyday life feels realistic. But social relationships are modern and contrived.
Twenty-first century cultural diversity is forced upon the cast of characters so that a
rich sea captain's daughter, a Jewish/Christian convert boy, a black Nubian slave,
and an abused tongueless beggar boy become instant friends to solve a crime.
Unrealistic depictions of human nature, scientific fact -- even dog behavior --
distract from the story at every turn. The special thrill of historical fiction, of
immersing oneself in a different time, is missing here.
Rating:
Summary: Heavy handed on the Christianity
Review: When I started reading the series I was really impressed: then, as another reviewer noted the unlikely aspects (Nubian slave rescued by young Roman girl and lives as her equal, for example. )became increasingly distracting. As the series unfolds, it becomes clearer that the main message is that Christianity is the "priceless treasure" . Those characters who start out not Christian are quickly attracted to the idea of praying to The Carpenter. Begger boy, Roman girl, Nubian "slave" and Jewish Christians become best friends who solve mysteries -- all leading to Jesus Christ.
This is the first time I've objected to a religious book -- but it all seemed so artificial and strained.
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