Roman diary

Platt, R. (2009). Roman diary: the journal of Iliona of Mytilini, who was captured and sold as a slave in Rome, A.D. 107. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Interest level: Grades 3-6

Reading level: 6+

Iliona is a Greek girl leaving for Egypt so that her father can oversee the family's warehouse there rebuilt after being burnt to the ground. The prospect of this adventure excites Iliona and she begins a journal prior to their departure so that she can record all that happens. Unfortunately, five days into the journey and only half a day away from port, the ship they are sailing on is attacked by pirates and both of her parents are killed leaving her and her younger brother orphans and ready to be sold as slaves in Rome. Iliona is stripped off all her possessions except for her writing materials, which her captors leave with her as they know that she will fetch a better price since she can write. It's in this journal that she records all that happens as she is readied for sale, sold to a Roman Senator along with her brother, and goes to live in his family as a companion and teacher to his young children.What follows is an account of daily life in Rome, including the baths, gladiators fighting, banquets and burlesque theater.

This fictionalized account of Rome is an accurate account of life in the Roman Empire. Through the first person narrative and accompanying pictures the reader is shown what life was really like at that time. It does not gloss over the more gruesome points, but neither does it glorify them or present them for shock value. Instead the reader is left with the distinct impression of the excesses of the Empire and the understanding that many served and/or lost their lives so that few could enjoy them.  Incredibly, it's able to do all that without being too graphic for young readers to digest. An appendix offers further useful information to the reader. This is a good supplement to units on the Roman Empire and definitely has its place as a classroom read.