Game On in Ancient Greece

Good Times Travel Agency #4

by Linda Bailey, Bill Slavin (Illustrator)

Josh, Emma and Libby Binkerton return to the Good Times Travel Agency - but this time, with a plan to travel to the future, to the next Olympic Games. What could go wrong? Well, plenty! Like when the owner of the shop misunderstands and sends the children to the ancient Olympic Games instead - in fifth-century BCE Greece! The Binkertons try to make the best of things. But after discovering some eye-opening facts about the ancient Games, causing a pile-up at the chariot races and having to run for their lives to escape the upset locals, the trio find themselves perilously close to disaster aboard a warship! Can the children finish reading the guidebook that will transport them back to the present before it's too late?

Part of the award-winning graphic novel series from the beloved duo Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin, this exciting blend of fact and fiction makes learning about ancient Greece fun. There's a thrilling adventure story with a fast-paced narrative and humor-filled illustrations that keep the pages turning. And embedded on every page are sections of a guidebook that provide historical facts to flesh out what's happening in the story. Thoroughly researched and vetted by experts, the book encompasses important social studies themes: government, philosophy, social and community structure, customs and religion, food and drink, conflict and cooperation and much more. The back matter includes an index, further resources and additional information about ancient Greece.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Ancient History, Childrens, Historical, Greece

56 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2002

About the author

I was born and grew up in Winnipeg —a daydreamer with her nose in a book. In my twenties, I traveled around the world, mostly by ship. Later, I moved to Vancouver, where I earned a B.A. and M.Ed. at the University of British Columbia. Among my jobs were travel agent, college teacher, instructional designer and editor.

For years, I dabbled with writing. But I didn't begin to write in earnest until I had two young daughters. My first book was published in 1992, and I have since written more than thirty others, including novels, picture books and non-fiction.

I live in Vancouver, a short walk from the sea. I write full-time and still love to travel, read and daydream.
- Source

Series:
* Stanley
* Stevie Diamond Mystery
* Good Times Travel Agency

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (1997): How Can a Frozen Detective Stay Hot on the Trail?
◊ Best Juvenile (2000): How Can a Brilliant Detective Shine in the Dark?

Reviews

[Lee]

If everyone competed in the Olympics nekked, why was the whole chariot bit possible (since everyone in the race was toga-clothed)?

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun read about Ancient Greece as a cultural study geared toward a children audience. A brother and his two sisters find themselves in the past on a journey to discover the way Ancient Greece operated - topics including war, philosophy, drama, the Olympic games, technology (and more).

[Brittany Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very educational, easy to read, and exciting to listen to for young readers!

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun way to study history, through time travel. :)
The children have an adventure in Ancient Greece and the reader learns a lot of historical content.

[Amber Gamble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Good for learning about Greece.

[Jessica Kirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun elementary intro to ancient Greece. 

[Klinton Saha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book.
The binkertons want to about the Olympic games.Good Time Travel Agency gives them the opportunity.With them we can know many information about ancient Greece; it's culture, democracy, religion and definitely the ancient Olympic games (!).

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you pair comic book-like panels with text boxes below them that fill in the history of the time and people where the fictional story takes place, you have a great combination. In this instance, Josh, Emma and Libby Binkerton are siblings. Josh wants to use the services offered by The Good Times Travel Agency to go into the future to enjoy the upcoming Olympic Games. While Mr. Pettigrew, the owner, is searching for a travel guide that will suit them, the older twins get distracted, trying to keep Libby from climbing a shelf and grabbing an antique vase. As a result, neither of them notice that the guide he gives them is for the original Olympics in Ancient Greece.
In short order, they're trying to dodge opposing armies, find their way to the Olympics and, in the process, learn about ancient Greek history and culture. Their progress and interactions with various citizens are enhanced by the factual information in the text below each panel. Getting to the games isn't easy and it's quickly apparent, through both the cartoon panels and the factual text, that Emma and Libby are in trouble because females are second class citizens in so many ways. In sum, this is a fun, easy to get into blend of entertaining story and historical fact, one that would be good for any library to consider.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ran across this series while volunteering at the library today, and while I remember Vikings, Middle Ages, and Ancient Egypt well, I couldn't remember reading this one.

I really like the series in general, with the possible hesitation about the fact that it's easy to just skip reading the "guide books" part--which is where most of the information is. I think I read them half the time when I was a kid. But there's some pretty solid stuff in the guide book section, if a bit generalized!

This was a solid entry in the series, but it didn't seem like it was exciting as Vikings, Middle Ages, and Egypt--but those are more up my alley to begin with.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Time Travel Guides Series. The Binkertons return to the Good Times Travel Agency because they want to go to the future to see the Olympics. Mr. Pettigrew hands them an Ancient Greece guide instead. The children start in Athens and travel to Olympia. On their adventure they and the readers learn about city states, democracy, Spartans and finally Olympics--where athletes compete in the nude. This series is written in the style of Magic School Bus with equal parts fact and fiction. I actually like the facts better than the fiction. There isn't a lot to the plot, but there are great descriptions of customs of the time.

[Christie Suh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about children who learn about ancient Greece by going back in time and visiting. They see ancient Athens and Olympia, the site of the Olympic Games, and also learn about the status of women and children in the ancient society

[Nichole Ostrander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about some kids who hope to go to the Olympic games and end up in Ancient Greece. Factual with historical fiction thrown in. This book is fun, simple, and educational; which sounds impossible but in this case it’s not I highly recommend this series.

[Zww · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! My mom had to renew it THREE times from the library because I love it so much! (age 8)

[Dawn Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a fun read with the kids.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The *idea* of the book was good, but it was really hard to read aloud to the kids.