When high-born Vita’s father is murdered in Roman Londinium, Vita is forced to disguise herself as a slave at the gladiator’s arena.
Here she forges an unlikely bond with Brea, a native Briton gladiatrix. Together, they resolve to bring the killer to justice before Vita is discovered …
‘Vita stood proud in her battle chariot as it thundered towards the Roman lines. She and her army of blue-faced warriors were seriously outnumbered, but she wouldn’t yield – not without a fight. She raised her spear and prepared to lead the charge . . . BANG! She started and looked up from her desk. The front door – which meant Mother and Lucius had gone at last! A flutter of excitement rippled through her. It was nearly time’.
Author Ally Sherrick has set this thrilling adventure in Roman London at a time when Londoninium was expanding fast following the defeat of Boudicca by the Romans. The large ampitheatre would have provided a wonderful arena for games and for Vita to show her skills.
Ally was the winner of the Historical Association Young Quills Award in 2017. Her website has brilliant details for students and teachers. Watch a short film about inspiration for the story or find out more about the life of a gladiator.
Chicken House Books have an amazing range of titles. They also have a wealth of materials for schools to explore and discover about the subject.
One of the best ways to start a school project is through a book. Vita and the Gladiator is an excellent way into finding out about the Romans.
Sue Martin
