On Etruscan Time
Grade 5-8 -Eleven-year-old Hector feels invisible. His parents don't listen to him and don't seem to care that he doesn't want to go to Italy for the summer with his mother. When they get there, he begrudgingly finds himself enjoying helping at the archaeological dig where she assists as an Etruscan-language specialist. When Hector uncovers a strange stone with an eye carved into it, he is unprepared for what happens next. That night in the darkness of his bedroom, he realizes that the stone is glowing and beckoning him back to the archaeological site--and back in time to help an Etruscan boy named Arath from being ritually sacrificed. Barrett's accurate description of the archaeological dig and the details of Etruscan daily life are well researched and interesting. The plot holds excitement and suspense as readers wonder if Hector will find a way to save his friend. While reluctant readers may find the Italian and Etruscan words and phrases difficult to field, a glossary of terms for each language is appended. This is a good choice for kids who are interested in time travel or history.-Anna M. Nelson, Collier County Public Library, Naples, FLCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.