Bookshelf Bests: Why Roman Boy Is a Brilliant Historical Novel for KS2
A Bookshelf Best for Bringing Roman Britain to Life
If you are looking for an exciting historical novel to complement a KS2 Romans topic, Roman Boy is a fantastic choice. Set in 125 CE, this gripping story combines action, danger and betrayal with a fascinating insight into life during the Roman Empire.
At the centre of the story is fifteen-year-old Lucius, a boy whose future is thrown into turmoil when a prophecy suggests that he will join the Roman army and become more successful than his powerful stepfather.
Danger, Betrayal and the Roman Army
Furious about the prophecy, Lucius's stepfather sends him to Britannia – but there is far more to the decision than Lucius initially realises. With an assassin on his trail, Lucius is forced to hide his true identity and join the Roman army under a false name.
From here, the adventure really begins. Lucius must prove himself through courage, determination and leadership as he begins to rise through the ranks. But as his success grows, so does the danger of his true identity being discovered.
With treachery, plot twists and bloody battles along the way, there is plenty to keep Upper KS2 readers turning the pages.
Exploring Life in Ancient Rome
What makes Roman Boy particularly valuable for the classroom is the amount of Roman history woven naturally into the story.
Rather than simply presenting children with historical facts, readers experience elements of Roman society through the characters and events. The story touches on Roman worship and sacrifice, slavery, the army and the treatment of women, helping children build a broader picture of what life within the Roman Empire could have been like.
Black-and-white illustrations throughout the book also help children visualise the characters and historical settings, while additional historical information provides useful context for what they have read.
Why Roman Boy Is a Bookshelf Best
At Teaching From Text, we particularly love historical fiction that makes children want to discover more about the period they are studying, and Roman Boy certainly does that.
Exciting enough to stand alone as a great adventure story but rich in historical detail, it provides a brilliant bridge between reading for pleasure and learning about the past.
For teachers searching for Roman books for KS2, historical fiction for Upper KS2, or an engaging children's novel about Ancient Rome and Roman Britain, Roman Boy is definitely one to add to your reading list – and a very worthy Bookshelf Best.
For many more Bookshelf Best recommendations, follow us on Instagram @teachingfromtext2019. For fully resourced English planning based around high-quality texts for the Primary classroom, head to our website www.teachingfromtext.com
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