Ancient Rome: An Interactive History Adventure

by Rachael Hanel

Since 753 BC, ancient Rome has been the center of the Roman Empire. The powerful civilization has made advances in engineering, art, and architecture. Its citizens, especially the wealthy ones, enjoy many freedoms. Will you: Choose between politics and business as a wealthy Roman man? Explore your options as a young woman of Rome? Experience the siege of Rome as a Roman peasant?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Ancient History, Middle Grade, Italy, Choose Your Own Adventure

112 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I'm a writer and associate professor of creative writing in southern Minnesota, where I was born and raised. WE'LL BE THE LAST ONES TO LET YOU DOWN is my first book for adults. I have written more than 20 books for the children's educational market. My book, NOT THE CAMILLA WE KNEW: ONE WOMAN'S PATH FROM SMALL-TOWN AMERICA TO THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, is forthcoming in December 2022 from the University of Minnesota Press.

Reviews

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A choose your own adventure book set in Ancient Rome? What's not to like?

I read this book with my eleven year olds, and we really enjoyed it. It let us imagine what it would be like to be a Roman slave during the later part of the Roman empire, a Roman senator during the time of Julius Cesar and a Roman woman during the time of the republic.

This book is just one of a series of choose your own adventures set in a historical time period. I'd highly recommend this series.s

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't find these historical books to be nearly as good as the other ones in the series. I think it's because your choices don't really matter, since these are events that actually happened, whereas the other books are fictional and can throw a lot of choices at you.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun way to teach kids about history by putting them into the story.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even for a CYOA, the writing was exceptionally weak.

[Ms. Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a format similar to the Choose Your Own Adventure stories, ANCIENT ROME: AN INTERACTIVE HISTORY ADVENTURE informs the reader of what life was like in Ancient Rome. The reader is able to choose to experience Rome as a wealthy Roman, a woman, or a poor Roman citizen. As the story unfolds, the reader makes one decision after another which affects the following actions. For example, the reader can choose to be a Roman Senator and then is asked to either support Pompey or Caesar. What happens next is contingent upon what decision the reader makes.

By presenting the facts in a story format and forcing the reader to become actively involved in the outcome, the reader discovers information about Ancient Rome's history, culture, and government without realizing it. This is ideal for reluctant readers and those that don't generally want to read non-fiction. While I applaud the format, it does limit the detailed information included. It leads to just a brief overview of life in Ancient Rome, and the reader would need additional sources for reports. My grade? A 'C.'

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the vein of a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story, this uses the reader's choice to tell the story of Ancient Rome. The reader can choose to be a wealthy citizen, a woman, or a slave. Depending on the selection, the reader then learns about the life of various characters intertwined with actual events. Great for reluctant readers.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems Malcolm is destined to love choose-your-own-adventure books as much as I did as a child. Which was a lot. A. Lot.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series covers several historical topics. The facts are solid, however the story lines are weak. Informational for young readers interested in historical topics.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that readers get to choose a path through this book based on what interests them.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it