I'm hoping for some help from you all on a Christmas present for my nephew: he's in 5th grade (11 years old) and going to Rome over spring break with the choir he's in.

I'd like to give him something to read about Rome for Christmas...do any of you have recommendations of a good book (fiction or non-fiction) that would get him in the mood for his trip?

Thanks!

I was intrigued by your question, and although I have no personal recommendations, I found this on Amazon, which gets very good reviews:

http://tinyurl.com/Book-About-Rome

I got myself a book for Christmas last year about Rome. Is it historical that you are after? This book explains just about everything from Emperors to the clever way they built their wooden bridges, their armies etc.

I will check it out when I get home from work later and get back to you. I think it would be fine for an 11 year old but will double check.

I know I have seen a DK (the Eyewitness guides publisher) book about ancient Rome for kids about that age at Borders. (Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/5kn4bx) If you go to Amazon under Children's books and search for Rome, a bunch of stuff comes up. There's also a David Macaulay (who does outstanding "How Things Work" books) book, but it seems to be more of a story book about modern Rome. When I was checking on the DK site, they also list "A City through Time" and "A Street through Time" which, while they're not focused on Rome, look interesting.

Paul

The cat sanctuary at Torre Argentina has a book called "Nelson the one-eyed king"

http://www.romancats.com/index_eng.php

How about some Asterix comic books? Set in the ancient Roman empire, they are some of the most widely read, best loved, intelligent and witty comics ever produced.

I grew up on Asterix and Obelix!
Loved them!

Thanks to all for your help!

We ended up getting the DK Eyewitness book of Ancient Rome for my nephew, and "Roma" by Steven Saylor for his dad...

Wish I had a trip to Rome in my immediate future!