Books About Ancient Rome

The Best Ancient Rome Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Ancient Civilizations Books, featuring 13 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about ancient rome? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Ancient Rome

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2014

Roman Myths

By Diane Namm, Eric Freeberg (Illustrator) · Classic Starts series

Discover Rome's origins and legendary tales in this mythic collection.

160 pages· 18,461 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 140 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Journey through ancient Rome's legendary tales, from the founding of the city by Romulus and Remus to the enchanting love story of Cupid and Psyche. Unravel the mysteries of Oedipus and the Sphinx, and explore a pantheon of gods and goddesses with a detailed family tree. This collection offers a captivating glimpse into the myths that shaped Roman culture, inviting readers to explore timeless stories of heroism, love, and fate. What secrets do these ancient legends hold?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2018

The Pompeii Disaster

By Dan Gutman · Book #3 in the Flashback Four series

Time-traveling teens race to capture Mount Vesuvius's eruption before becoming history themselves.

272 pages· 39,108 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 318 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Four adventurous friends, sent by a mysterious billionaire, travel back to AD 79 to photograph Mount Vesuvius's eruption. As they navigate the chaos of Pompeii, they must secure their snapshot and escape before the volcano's fury traps them forever. Will they succeed, or will they become part of the ancient ruins? This thrilling journey blends history with high-stakes adventure, challenging the Flashback Four to outsmart time itself.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2017

Where Is the Colosseum?

By Jim O'Connor, Who HQ, John O'Brien (Illustrator) · Where Is . . . ? series

Witness the brutal spectacles of ancient Rome's Colosseum, where life and death hung in the balance.

112 pages· 7,676 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 339 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Step into the grandeur of ancient Rome as Emperor Titus unveils the Colosseum, a colossal arena hosting 100 days of brutal games. Gladiators clash, wild beasts roar, and warships battle on flooded floors, captivating over 50,000 spectators. As the Roman Empire crumbles by AD 476, the Colosseum's ruins stand as a testament to a time of unforgettable spectacle and power. What drove this thirst for blood and glory, and how did it shape history? Discover the secrets behind one of the world's most iconic landmarks.

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$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011

Attack at the Arena

By Paul McCusker, Marianne Hering · Book #2 in the The Imagination Station series

Two cousins travel back in time to ancient Rome to retrieve a stolen silver cup and find themselves in the middle of a gladiatorial contest

128 pages· 10,019 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 796 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Cousins Patrick and Beth journey to fifth-century Rome, driven by a mysterious letter and a quest for a monk's cup that could save Albert from prison. Amidst the grandeur of the Colosseum, Patrick is captured and forced into the arena, while Beth becomes an emperor's slave. They encounter Telemachus, a monk determined to end the brutal gladiator battles. As they navigate danger and intrigue, the stakes rise with each discovery. Will they secure the cup and alter Albert's fate, or will the past's perils prove too great?

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$674

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

Danger in Ancient Rome

By Kate Messner, Kelley McMorris (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Ranger in Time series

A young boy is transported back in time to ancient Rome where he befriends a gladiator and helps him win his freedom.

160 pages· 14,796 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 873 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Ranger, a time-traveling golden retriever, lands in ancient Rome's Colosseum. Amidst gladiator battles and wild hunts, he befriends Marcus, a boy in peril, and Quintus, a gladiator facing deadly trials. Can Ranger help them escape the brutal arena and find freedom? Adventure and danger await as Ranger races against time to save his new friends from the clutches of history's fiercest spectacles.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

Warriors in Winter

By Mary Pope Osborne, AG Ford (Illustrator) · Book #31 in the Magic Tree House series

Two siblings travel back in time to a Roman legion camp to learn about ancient Rome and meet a mysterious hero in disguise

112 pages· 8,288 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,434 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Jack and Annie are whisked back to ancient Rome, where they must learn to be warriors among the formidable Roman soldiers. As they navigate the camp's dangers, a mysterious rider offers cryptic advice. But can they trust him? With suspicion all around, Jack and Annie must uncover what makes the Romans so powerful and decide if they can rise to the challenge. Who is the enigmatic figure guiding them, and will they succeed in their mission?

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$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Who Was Julius Caesar?

By Nico Medina, Who HQ, Tim Foley (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A leader's rise to power ends in betrayal and assassination.

112 pages· 7,853 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 792 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Julius Caesar, a masterful politician and soldier, rises to power in ancient Rome, making both allies and enemies. As he declares himself dictator for life, tensions mount. On the Ides of March, betrayal strikes. Will his legacy endure, or will his ambition be his downfall?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014

The Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79

By Lauren Tarshis, Scott Dawson (Illustrator) · Book #10 in the I Survived series

A father and son must escape from Pompeii as Mount Vesuvius erupts.

108 pages· 11,210 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 6,220 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the bustling city of Pompeii, young Marcus senses danger as Mount Vesuvius stirs. Despite the city's indifference, he and his scientifically-minded father fear the worst. When the mountain erupts, spewing fiery ash and raining rocks, Marcus must race against time to escape the catastrophic destruction. Will they survive the wrath of the awakened beast?

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1987

Pompeii...Buried Alive!

By National Geographic Learning

Witness Mount Vesuvius's eruption and its buried secrets revealed centuries later.

48 pages· 1,544 words· Est. 18 min read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,647 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Journey back 2,000 years to a bustling village at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Experience the catastrophic eruption that froze life in an instant. Centuries later, uncover the buried town's secrets and marvel at the stories hidden beneath the ash. This vivid tale captures a moment of history, blending drama and discovery for young readers eager to explore the past.

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2002

The Thieves of Ostia

By Caroline Lawrence · The Roman Mysteries series

In ancient Rome, four friends unravel the mystery of beheaded watchdogs. Why are they being targeted?

208 pages· 38,479 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,829 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In AD 79 Ostia, Flavia Gemina, the daughter of a ship's captain, teams up with her diverse friends—Jonathan, Nubia, and Lupus—to solve a chilling mystery. Someone is beheading watchdogs, leaving the community in fear. As they delve deeper, secrets and dangers emerge, testing their courage and friendship. Can they uncover the truth before it's too late?

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