A Message Through Time; Anna Ciddor

Anna Ciddor, the author of The Boy Who Stepped Through Time returns with another foray into Roman life as a message in a bottle is the catalyst for an exciting journey back in time.

Step-siblings Zoe, fifteen, and Felix, eleven, are enjoying the last day of their family holiday in France when Felix discovers a message in a bottle and an ancient Roman writing tool that can carry you through time. The pair get the surprise of their lives when they are suddenly transported back 1700 years to the streets of Ancient Rome and are surrounded by hawkers, shoppers, beggars, animals and mule dung.

Appearing back in the present day they discover an unexpected visitor, a well-to-do Roman girl has time-travelled too. With only hours until they return home, can they get Petronia back to where she belongs? Can they survive life in Ancient Rome? Will they make it back to the present in time?

Meticulously researched and with detailed and insightful back-matter, A Message Through TIme is a rip-roaring and immersive time-slip adventure that brings alive Roman life - exploring the lives of both the richest and the poorest. Featuring charismatic characters and with an enthralling storyline that will keep you on tenterhooks right until the end, this is great historical fiction that accurately depicts a fascinating era and one that children are always keen to learn more about (who doesn’t want to know that sparrows were eaten for lunch, that illnesses were treated with horse spit and snails, and that boats were dragged upstream by slaves).

The experiences in Ancient Rome for Felix and Zoe are vastly different. Treated as a slave, Felix experiences all of the hardships of having to wait on others, dining on leftovers and sleeping on the floor. This is in contrast to Zoe, who, disguised as Petronia's doctor, is revered and enjoys all of the luxuries, although today’s children will question whether much of what was classed as luxury back then would qualify for luxury in their own lives. This is what makes historical fiction so interesting, the comparisons that can be made between past and present, Anna wraps all of this up in such a brilliant story that seamlessly weaves historical accuracies with the impossibilities of time travel.

The exploration of Roman life for women is a particular highlight. Whilst high-class women may have lived in luxury they had little say in much of their life. Arranged marriages were just the start of a life where family and the men in their life made many of the decisions for them and spoke on their behalf. Sure to spark many a discussion and leave girls fuming at the behaviour of their male counterparts #girlpower.

Interesting, well-written and just like Anna’s other Roman time-travel adventure, a brilliant story to support a Roman topic. Perfect for history buffs!

Recommended for 8+.

With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.