Roman Boy

By Author / Illustrator

Tony Bradman

Genre

Historical Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books

ISBN

9781529512748

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-07-2024

Synopsis

The action-packed story of Roman boy Lucius, exiled from Rome to the most savage province of the Empire - Britannia.

Banished from Rome by his jealous stepfather, 14-year-old Lucius is exiled to Londinium. Plunged into mortal danger as he flees his stepfather's assassin, Lucius takes a false name and joins the brutal ranks of The Eagles, the Roman Legion in Britannia.

Under the watchful eye of the god Jupiter, Lucius excels in battle and catches the attention of his superiors - but how can he fulfil his destiny when he can't even claim his own name? As the shadows of war gather, Lucius's secret past catches up with him. He must face not only the Celtic rebels but also his stepfather's relentless vendetta - and the spectre of his own self-doubt.

Also by Tony Bradman: Viking Boy; Anglo Saxon Boy

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Reviews

Roman Boy is the brilliant new book by Tony Bradman. This story is full of thrilling historical action and adventure. Lucius is a 15-year-old Roman boy who wants to feel like he belongs. His mother has recently been widowed and then remarried, and Lucius does not really feel connected to his stepfather, so he asks him to adopt him. Gaius cautiously accepts Lucius request and tries to form a bond.

However, when visiting the Roman emperor Hadrian at his Villa, the priest makes a prophecy about Lucius that quickly turns his budding relationship with his stepfather sour and Gaius hatches a plan to banish Lucius from Rome; sending him to the worst part of the empire – Britannia. On arriving in Britannia, Lucius uncovers his stepfather's real plan - to have him killed - and runs for his life, finding sanctuary and and help to become a Roman legionary and to fulfil the priest's prophecy.

This book will enthrall any reader with its secrets, sacrifices and survival. It will take the reader on a journey through the eyes of a Roman boy who searches for a sense of belonging. It really connects us with history and highlights what Roman life was like, particularly the hard life of a Roman legionary in Britannia.

This book would be an excellent story to support the teaching of Ancient Roman in KS2 as well as being used to help write historical accounts through characterisation in literacy.

240 pages / Reviewed by Hayley Summerfield, teacher