Romans on the Rampage

by Jeremy Strong

Perilus is a Roman boy who is crazy about chariot racing. He loves to practise in his own homemade chariot (pulled by the family goat) and dreams of riding in the Circus Maximus himself one day. But when Perilus's hero, the brilliant charioteer Scorcha , goes missing on the day of the big race, Perilus finds his wish coming true sooner than he'd imagined!A laugh-out-loud story from King of Comedy Jeremy Strong.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Andrew Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent children’s book about the adventures of a Roman family and their friend Sorcha the hopeful chariot racer. Interestingly, the book is narrated from the perspective of Croakbag the crow which gives it a unique perspective. Whilst the book is quite humorous, I found that the some of the humour went over the heads of my year 3 class I was reading it to. Still, it is a decent read for those teaching or interested in romans.

[Jason C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny - can't wait to read aloud with my class.

[Sofia Brito · Rating 2 out of 5]

My year 3 class didn’t like it.

[Adam Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A caveat for my relatively low score, I read this book to children but because of corona-lockdowns, I recorded it chapter by chapter in an empty room. Had I managed to perform this text to an active audience of children enjoying it, I would have far more positive memories of the book and not the feeling of kawwing, and squawking and narrating daft slapstick to an empty room.

It’s a shame because the intrusive narrator (a wisecracking, Latin-spewing raven no less) was made to perform. He has ticks and funny noises and a catchphrase (“have a biscuit”) which would have been really fun to do for an audience. I can’t imagine what it would be like being a child reading it to myself, maybe it would have awakened a performer in me, maybe it would have irritated me.

That said, the book was weak in its plot and characters, it’s a series of farcical events happening to a range of oddball characters with funny Latiny names, my favourite being the slave Flippus Floppus - who reminded me of a certain general who ranks as high as anyone in Rome. I imagine the plot (such as it is) may be a little overstuffed and confusing for children - but not being in the room to get their reactions, I don’t know.

[Christina Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really funny and recommend it to primary schools😀

[Kirsty Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy reading to year 4s and felt you got confused with the characters

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Want to read

[Isabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m doing my PGCE and I’m reading a lot of children’s literature SO I AM COUNTING THIS BOOK IN MY YEARLY CHALLENGE. Funny book, the kids loved it.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the naration from the Raven very irritating (with the rhetorical questions) and distracting from the plot. I don't know if children would get the humour behind some of the names, such as Putupon and Septacemia.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perilus wants to become a charioteer when he grows up, but when scorcha the best charioteer gets thrown in jail .whats Perilus going to do? I LOVE this book it's really funny.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Year 3 class loved it!