Roman Diary by Richard Platt

Platt, Richard Roman Diary : The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, Who Was Captured by Pirates and Sold as a Slave in Rome, AD 107, illustrated by David Parkins. 64 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2009.
With a larger-than-typical page size, two-column text format, and graphic-novel illustrations, this fictional diary of a young Greek girl who works as a slave in Rome gives the reader an educational glimpse into life in ancient Rome. One learns about common practices of the day, such as the slave trade, education, public baths, social classes, military ranks, the senate, indoor plumbing, religion, gladiator fights, theater, and dining. The last six pages contain nonfiction information about all these topics, as well as a timeline of Roman history. Includes glossary and index. There are enough facts and great illustrations to make this of interest to middle-school students.
EL – ESSENTIAL; MS – ADVISABLE. PKFoster, MS teacher-librarian.