(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries series. Each book in this series looks at a different ancient city or monument and explores unanswered questions about its construction and uses. Both historical and modern views are provided, with differences explained by recent research and technology. Plentiful photographs and illustrations bring the sites to life. "Dig Deep!" and "Myth Alert!" sidebars provide additional interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Ancient Mysteries titles: Mysteries of the Egyptian Pyramids, Mysteries of the Great Wall of China, Mysteries of Easter Island, Mysteries of Pompeii, Mysteries of Machu Picchu, and Mysteries of Stonehenge.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Somchith Vongprachanh. The famous ancient Roman city, destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, is explored both in the book and through an included CD-ROM. Many of the better-known and preserved locations within the city are discussed in detail, with illustrations and photos of the sites and artifacts bringing the city to life but cluttering the spreads. The "virtual 3D tour" offers limited interactivity.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(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) YA Unearthing Ancient Worlds series. Each volume begins with a snapshot look at life in the title city, then moves on to detail the first excavations at its site. Important figures involved in the historical digs are then introduced, and readers follow along as the archaeologists make their groundbreaking discoveries. Numerous sidebars, maps, and illustrations provide additional information about the sites and excavation details. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Unearthing Ancient Worlds titles: Palenque and Pompeii.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 The friendship between a rich Roman girl and her slave is threatened by the family's decision to remove both girls from the household--one to serve in a temple and the other to be a concubine. Gladiators, a forbidden romance, and an erupting Mount Vesuvius all add to the busy melodrama of this historical fiction. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Through Time series. Illustrated by Manuela Cappon. This book traces Pompeii's history, from its beginnings as a collection of huts through its apex as a Roman colony culminating in its modern iteration as a tourist destination. The search-and-find aspect--focusing on one ever-evolving house--requires a high level of commitment from readers. Each double-page spread includes an illustration crowded by main text, captions, and annotations. Timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 When Disaster Struck series. These volumes begin with a brief description of Vesuvius's eruption or the plague outbreak. Maps, paintings, photographs, sidebars, diagrams, and primary source materials on busy pages combine with a chronological narrative to provide a comprehensive discussion of the events leading to each tragedy, the human loss, and the medical and scientific technology currently available to predict and prevent similar disasters. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these When Disaster Struck titles: Pompeii AD 79 and The Black Death 1347–1350.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 1-3 A boy and a girl flee ancient Pompeii as Mt. Vesuvius erupts, finding safety on a Greek fishing boat that sails out to sea while lava buries the city. Evocative illustrations reminiscent of the art of the period extend the drama and sorrow of the text. A map and author's note are appended.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(4) K-3 Fast Forward series. Illustrated by Peter Dennis. In a bookish answer to hypertext, the volumes in this series feature twelve double-page spreads, each accessible by a thumb index, that sequence events in Pompeii, Italy, before and after the 79 C.E. eruption of Vesuvius and in Castle, atop a European hill, where a succession of castles was built. Somewhat static but well-labeled illustrations add considerable detail to the brief text, which moves from prehistory to the present. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Fast Forward titles: Castle and Volcano.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 These books use the excavations of two ancient cities--Knossos, Crete, said to have been ruled by Minos, and Pompeii, Italy, which was buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E.--as springboards for exploring the civilizations that lived there. Each two-page chapter consists of a brief paragraph of text, information capsules, and unremarkable color illustrations. A chronology is included in both books. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Frozen in Time series. Blending history and science, the first two books explore China's Qin Dynasty and Pompeii through archaeological finds left by both civilizations, while the third focuses on the salvage of a Spanish treasure galleon that sank in 1622. Occasional spreads provide background material and explain how contemporary researchers restore artifacts. Color photos and reproductions accompany the texts. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) 4-6 Discoveries series. Illustrated by Richard Bonson. While Castle is based on a generic medieval fortress, the other two volumes trace specific historical events and include information on their later archaeological discovery and study. Illustrated with detailed color artwork, and one foldout per volume, the books contain intriguing information about each culture and a number of boxed quotes. Unfortunately, the cramped layouts make the presentations busy and overwhelming. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta