(4) 4-6 Flashback Four series. In their third adventure, the four preteens time-travel to Pompeii in 79 AD to photograph the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Sent via a sophisticated time machine developed by billionaire Miss Z, they mistakenly become slave laborers and gladiators. Tension increases with the need to leave Pompeii before the calamity. The fast-paced novel, which includes photographs from the ruins, is predictable but accessible and appealing.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Julius Zebra series. Zebra Julius and his animal friends (Rumble with the Romans!) continue their gladiatorial adventures, this time being sent to Londinium to fight Celtic gladiators while trying to escape from their Roman captors. The protagonists are still awkward, gangly, and mostly clueless, but the silly story's irreverent humor and goofy, black-and-white cartoon illustrations on every page should entertain readers.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Thrown into prison by an imposter, Prince Javan can reclaim his throne by winning the prison's gladiatorial tournament, but he'll need the help of a slave girl, Sajda, who has her own secrets. Darker than previous Ravenspire installments, the plot is action driven, leaving the romance angle feeling rushed. Nevertheless, fans of intense fantasy action will be pleased.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA After Thrace falls, Attia is enslaved in Rome and must hide her identities--as the heir to Thrace and as the mysterious gladiator, Spartacus. Her plans for escape and revenge against Rome are disrupted, however, by her growing affection for champion gladiator Xanthus and other members of their owner's household. This epic, action-packed historical reimagining ends with hints that Thrace will rise again in future volumes.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Warrior Science series. These books describe the weapons, training, and tactics used by the respective warriors from history. Emphasis is placed on how elements of physical science, such as weight, balance, and force, affected what and how weapons and armor were used. Diagrams, (hokey) photographs of reenactors, and illustrations will help readers visualize the information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Warrior Science titles: Gladiator Science and Ninja Science.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Julius Zebra series. Julius the zebra and other African animals are kidnapped and brought to Rome. Rather than be slaughtered in the Colosseum, they choose to fight as gladiators themselves. Suspension of disbelief is a must, but it won't be difficult to achieve: this irreverent, high-energy story is filled with action and humor, with each page punctuated by goofy, frenetic illustrations.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Gladiator Island series. Troubled teenager Reed begins a sailing rehab program, only to wind up on an island where he and other kids are forced to engage in deadly gladiatorial games for the entertainment of the super wealthy. Combat, intrigue, and plot twists make for an exciting six-part series. A few books are told from other characters' perspectives, offering different viewpoints on the events. Review covers the following Gladiator Island titles: The Arrival, The Creatures, The Main Event, The Revolt, The Triangle, and The War Design.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 How to Live Like... series. Illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum. These books present accounts of selected events that distinguish certain historical periods. Examples include jousting (Knight), battling lions (Gladiator), and training for raiding (Warrior). Each book is narrated by a cocky youth, which adds humor but becomes tiresome. Cartoonlike illustrations and numerous text boxes accompany the main texts. Related facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How to Live Like... titles: A Medieval Knight, A Roman Gladiator, and A Viking Warrior.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 English boy Leo is fascinated with gladiators and yearns to be a real hero himself. So when he gets into trouble, Leo compounds his guilt by letting people believe he was actually saving a little dog named Jack Pepper. Realistic details, a cute pup, and a strong theme of what it means to be a hero will attract middle graders.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Kelley McMorris. For his second adventure (Rescue on the Oregon Trail), time-traveling search-and-rescue dog Ranger heads to ancient Rome, where he must rescue Marcus, an eleven-year-old slave, and Quintus, a reluctant gladiator recruit, before blood is shed on the Colosseum floor. Page-turning action and suspense make this a lively historical-fantasy chapter book. Black-and-white illustrations and an author note are included. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Set in the weeks leading up to Vesuvius's eruption, this love story follows a young Roman couple as their forbidden love blossoms. The historical setting is carefully researched and provides an interesting backdrop to the tale. However, stock characters (obstinate father, conniving rich boy, naive maiden, noble slave) detract from the otherwise richly detailed narrative.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Great Warriors series. Ancient and medieval warriors are explored in these volumes. Each book provides a brief history of the fighters, details their arms and tactics, and delves into the lengthy training it took to become a gladiator or knight. Color illustrations and sidebars provide additional details. "Stop and think" questions promote critical thinking. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Warrior titles: Knights and Gladiators.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Greatest Warriors series. Warriors of varying nationality and era are discussed in this series. Each short chapter focuses on a different aspect of warrior life and includes reenactment photos and plentiful text boxes. The presentation is lively and helps make up for the sparse information. Collectively, the set provides a decent overview of the progression from ancient through medieval European soldiery. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Greatest Warriors titles: Knights, Roman Soldiers, Vikings,Gladiators, and Greek Soldiers.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 In this third installment, werewolf Drew, enslaved far from home as a gladiator on volcanic island Scoria, must unite new friends and put old grudges aside to escape and reclaim his throne. Meanwhile, his once-close ally Hector is increasingly relying on dark magic. Constant danger, action, and high-running emotions ensure that this series will continue to appeal to fans of high fantasy.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Gladiator series. After Marcus, son of a Roman centurion, witnesses his father's death, he and his mother are sold into slavery. Marcus is sold to a trainer of gladiators and learns to fight, but he never loses sight of his goal to avenge his father's death. Marcus must come of age quickly as he follows the traditional hero's path of righting a world turned upside down.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo