The Sign of the Anchor

by Evelyn C. Nevin, Manning de Villeneuve Lee (Illustrator)

Growing up in a loving family on a farm near Corinth, Greece, young Lykon only has to worry about whether or not his father will gift him a discus and how quickly he can learn to throw it well. Although mutterings of unrest, fear of the Roman soldiers, and a new religion based on one god, not many, filter through to Lykon’s ears, he is not worried. But when his father is arrested for attending secret meetings, Lykon is separated from his parents and sent to Rome, where he is sold as a slave.

The Sign of the Anchor is a beautiful story of a boy opening his mind and heart to this new savior, the Christus, and risking his life to get back to his family with the help of new friends who work to keep him safe in the spirit of Christianity.

Genres: History, School

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Zoey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I don't think I'll read it again. I thought all of the work the characters were doing behind the Roman's backs was clever. It is more of an intense story and kind of sad, which is not my preference, but it was well written and I enjoyed that it was a history lesson as a book. I didn't think about about quitting the book at any point. It's not a book that I would tell my friends about, but if they asked me if it was a good book I might encourage them to read it.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my kids for our history unit on Ancient Rome. A young boy from Corinth was captured by the Romans and enslaved. His parents were also enslaved in different households or sent to jail. They each fund Christianity and convert. In the end, Nero, the Emperor, frees Corinth from Roman rule and the family is gathered together again.

[Kai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all. I'm in 6th grade and was assigned it for school, so I had to keep reading it, but I probably would have stopped reading it if I could. Although it had a hopeful message, it made me feel depressed because of the reality of that time. I would not recommend it to anyone in search of an exciting book. Also, Nero sucks.