Danger in Ancient Rome

Ranger in Time #2

by Kate Messner, Kelley McMorris (Illustrator)

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever, is back for the second book in Kate Messner's new chapter book series. This time, he's off to save the day in ancient Rome!

Ranger is a golden retriever who has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. In this adventure, Ranger travels to the Colosseum in ancient Rome, where there are gladiator fights and wild animal hunts! Ranger befriends Marcus, a young boy Ranger saves from a runaway lion, and Quintus, a new volunteer gladiator who must prove himself in the arena. Can Ranger help Marcus and Quintus escape the brutal world of the Colosseum?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Chapter Books, Time Travel, Animals

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Kate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.

Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com

Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner

...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner

Reviews

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ranger is called again, this time to Ancient Rome. The descriptions of the Colosseum and the life of a gladiator are amazing! Another fabulous addition to this series!

[Elijah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what to say about this…. You’re stupid if you choose to be a gladiator because you will probably die.

[Christine Salek · Rating 3 out of 5]

SNITCHING AND CHEATING AND LOOKING UP TO DICTATORS IS NOT GLADIATOR BEHAVIOR

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one seemed a bit light compared to the first book. Kids will learn a lot about gladiators and ancient Rome, plus the author's notes, pictures, and glossary in the back are an added bonus. It's also a kid friendly version of what really happened to all those gladiators, slaves, and animals in the coliseum, as the actual truth would surely be the stuff that nightmares are made of. That said, I'm sure they will enjoy this one just as much as the first book. But I thought everything got tied up way too quick and easy and left me thinking, "is that all there is?" Oh well. On to book three now.

[Jackson Beckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger is a golden retriever.His owners are a boy named Luke and a girl named Sadie.How Ranger got to ancient Rome is Ranger had a first aid kit he had dug up in the backyard.Right before Ranger went to ancient Rome the first aid kit started humming and then there was a bright light and then Ranger found himself in ancient Rome and the it was!The Coliseum!The sand smelt like blood and sweat ,yuck!Meanwhile,Quintus wanted to become a gladiator.Cleto was known for his cruelness.To become a gladiator he had to swear the gladiator’s. oth.Quintus’s trainer is named Marcus whom Ranger befriends.Marcus isn’t supposed to go to where the wild animals are held underground a big man asks Marcus to watch a Lion 🦁 Marcus thinks he is brave enough to watch the lion ,but he finds out he is crazy,and the lion pounces on him but Ranger comes to the reckue!Ranger growls at the lion but the big cat is not afaid but some peopole throw ropes onto the minicing lion and then lead it until it goes out of stght.If Quintus tells Cleto then Marcus will get in big trouble.Luckely,Quintus does not tell (to be continued.)………

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I suspected I liked this book better than the first. The little boy seemed more like he needed some magic dog help, being an orphan living at the Roman gladiator school with a new gladiator roommate that also needs guidance, and the setting was more interesting to me.

I like reading cowboy books and in that general time period, but I think that worked against the previous book because a lot of the setting specific stuff was fairly basic stuff that I’d seen before a bunch of times, but I don’t read very much set in Roman times so more of the well researched little details were unfamiliar to me.

The peril seemed better in this book, with the lion and the fire and the fight at the end. After his adventure his little souvenir is a palm leaf, I’m not sure how long he’d be able to keep that before it starts decomposing but I can’t think of anything else he could have easily brought home so whatever.

I’m looking forward to the next one!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is such a great way to introduce kids to history they may never have encountered at a young age. Gladiators , arenas, everything Ancient Rome.

[Emily Traasdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

good dog book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't deny there's an interesting story here. A young Roman boy is indentured to a gladiator school. No, let's be accurate. He is a slave. He and another older slave and struggling to succeed within the brutal world of gladiators. The old man, Quintus, must soon face his first fight, which may well end in his death. Incidentally, both Marcus (the boy) and Quintus are orphans. This seems to be a common theme in Messner's books.

Don't be fooled by the cutesy cover and the time-traveling dog theme and the big font. This is not a book for younger kids. L insisted we read it, so I edited it heavily, glossing over the parents burning to a crisp in a fire and the fact that Quintus was going to have to fight to the death. It's definitely our last book in the Ranger in Time series until L is much older.

[Núria · Rating 2 out of 5]

My kids and I generally like this series. This book, though, is different. It made the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome seem like fun, the violent fighting something praiseworthy, giving your life in a fight as a way to attain glory. This book does not align with the values I want to teach my children. It is possible to teach accurate history without glorifying violence.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger in Time #2: Danger in Ancient Rome by Kate Messner - Historical Fiction/Adventure – Great follow up to the original story. Will share thoughts close to the release date – June 30th, 2015

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good solid series with wide appeal to kids who like the time travel element of Magic Tree House and kids to like books with animals. Loveable and helpful Ranger (golden retriever) makes a great star character. There was enough backstory given to understand this book on its own but I think it would be helpful to read the first in the series just to get the full chapter of him digging up the magic first aid kit which is his time travel tool. I can predict the consistency of getting to bring one little object home from each journey to add to his collection in his dog bed and that is a nice tool to tie them together. There are occasional full page black and white sketches which help add dimension to characters and story. I appreciated that the end of the book has an afterward by the author which includes how she did research on the historical time period and where some of her ideas came from.

I recommend this series 1st grade advanced readers up to 4th grade readers. It would be a very fast read for 4th grade advanced readers. Perfect for 2nd/3rd grade or those who can read Magic Treehouse with ease.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danger in Ancient Rome (Ranger in Time #2) by Kate Messner, 129 pgs. CHAPTER BOOK. Scholastic, 2015. $12.

Content: PG (Some sense of impending danger)

BUYING ADVISORY -- EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL -- HIGH

Ranger is a trained search-and-rescue dog who goes back in time to help people in danger. In this episode, he has traveled to ancient Rome, where he ends up with boys training in a gladiator school. Danger is everywhere, but what is Ranger's exact task? And will he find out in time?

This is a suspenseful read that brings the time period and place to life. Although this is the second book in the series, it stands alone nicely, with a few details from the previous story to ground new readers. Fun for fans of historical fiction, tales of pets, and survival stories. An author's note at the end provides more information on the historical and geographical context of the story.

Reviewed by Sydney G., K-6 Library Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My thoughts} – Ranger gets to go on an all new time-traveling adventure to Ancient Rome. I am one of those people that enjoy anything and everything about Rome so I was looking forward to a nice fast and quick read.

Ranger hear’s the buzzing sound from the old first aid kit and the next thing he knows he is in Ancient Rome. He now gets to hang out with Marcus and Quintus. Marcus is more or less a slave and it becomes his job to train Quintus so that he will be able to fight in the next battle at the Colosseum.

Marcus goes about teaching him everything he knows in hopes that it will help. However, he isn’t quite sure given that Quintus is not on the good side of the person in charge of setting up the battles. Things could turn sour very quickly and Marcus understands that better then anyone.

This was a really nice read. I felt like I was actually there for some of it. I suppose it helps that I have actually been to and seen the Colosseum. It was nicely described and easy to visualize. I look forward to reading more books in this series in the near future.

[Adayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this 5 stars for the category it's in. This is a great early chapter book about gladiators in ancient Rome, written as appropriately for the age as possible. From the outside, the material looks equivalent to Magic Treehouse but I think this is superior. Slightly more advanced writing, better storytelling, and a great author's note with photographs at the end. It was a good read aloud even though it's meant for a beginner reader, maybe ages 7-10. I recommend this. (Side note: I appreciated the fact that even though Ranger time travels, he's still written as a normal dog. No talking or understanding like a person, but keeps his real canine traits and characteristics.)

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging series for elementary where the dog, Ranger, goes back in time to help someone in need. This time, it was Ancient Rome and the gladiators. Loved that this book is historical fiction but also pretty intense with the accurate information—fighting, blood, and the fear of a young gladiator will definitely be a hit with tons of readers. Can’t wait to get this in kids’ hands when school starts again.

[Jane Sweatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my third grade tutoring student. It was quite engaging and interesting to read, Kate Messner is a fun author to read. I think my student enjoyed learning more about Ancient Rome, gladiators and the hard work for the main character in the book. As represented by Kate Messner through her research, trip to Rome and conversations she speaks about in her notes. A nice read aloud to compliment studies of Ancient Rome for sure.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two for two on a great Ranger in Time book!

This time Ranger is sent to ancient Rome to take care of Marcus, a young boy working at the Colosseum, and Quintus, a new gladiator. Not only does he save their lives in this book, but by the end, he sets them free. <3

I love how these books introduce different times/periods in history to kids through Ranger's heroism. Very stinking cute.

4.5 stars

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is similar in style and content to Magic Treehouse and my expectations are realistic for what this series is. My kindergarten age twins love a magic time traveling dog and pick these from the library sometimes. I grin and bear it.

But this one felt really clumsy in how it handled violence and enslaved people in Ancient Rome. We talked it out, but I think it read like a book published 20-30 years ago. 😬

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the historical fiction and photos of author in Rome.

My seven year old really liked this story. His favourite part was the gladiator battle. I enjoyed reading a story that reminded me of stories !y dad used to tell about ancient Rome.

[Atlantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit farcical but an interesting mix of time travel and learning about ancient history. Written I think with the idea of engaging young readers who love dogs to learn more about history. Some good facts but they are mixed in with some contrived ideas.

[Viktoria Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again Messner did a great job with Ranger. I love the truth behind her historical fiction. I have not read many stories that approach the life of a gladiator. She did it well. I look forward to more of these books. (Read aloud to my two first graders).

[Kelly Jahng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, and a good introduction to part of Roman culture. It’s tough to make gladiators palatable for kids, but Messner handles it well. I like Ranger’s character and how he collects souvenirs from his adventures.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curious mix of fantasy, juvenile animal lit and history that is simultaneously violent and smoothed over. Probably the kindest portrayal of the Emperor Domitian there ever was. There are some nice tense moments and the dog's eye view was excellent!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one got tied up way too easily, especially considering the sanitized horrors of the setting. I wouldn't particularly recommend this one, but it's educational for kids and has great information at the end about the author's historical research.

[Avonlea Kantola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was and amazing book I read it with my book club and I had so much fun with it my favorite characters are Marcus ranger obviously Villuis and last but not least Quintus who’s your favorite character(s)?

[Jared Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me and my history geekiness, Not as great as the Oregon trail. But hey…every history buff has their favorite timeline 🤷‍♀️ I do love her fun facts from visiting the places she writes about! Big time

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 yr. old grandson loves these time travel books! We FaceTime read them together.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun transitional chapter book series! Love the various historical settings, the heart and empathy, and especially the sweet Golden Retriever.

[retrieverfever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book both Ranger in times made me in the book felling all of it