Life And Times... Pandora Of Athens, 399 B.c.
Reviewed with Barry Deneberg'sAtticus of Rome, 30 B.C.Gr. 4-8. These entries in the Life and Times series feature young adults facing difficulties in ancient times. In the first book, Atticus is captured by Roman soldiers and sold into slavery to an influential political figure in need of a spy. Atticus' skills help him to uncover a plot to murder the emperor and to reconnect with his father, a gladiator. In the second novel, Pandora, who chafes at the social restrictions placed on young women, meets Socrates, and, during his imprisonment, comes to appreciate his wisdom. Both novels are rich in setting details and dutifully describe a wide range of ancient customs--from clothing to personal hygiene. Occasionally, the details overwhelm the action, especially inPandora, in which the protagonist must observe rather than participate in her own story because she is female. With short chapters and intriguing covers, however, these will be popular among students assigned historical novels or in classes in which history is taught through fiction. Caroline Lawrence'sThe Thieves of Ostia(2002) and its sequels provide an equally informative look at the period.Kay WeismanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved