Vita and the Gladiator by Ally Sherrick ~ Blog Tour

History and adventure come together beautifully in Ally Sherrick’s Vita and the Gladiator. This thoughtful, action-packed story would be a wonderful addition to any Upper Key Stage Two study of the Romans in Britain. If read aloud towards the end of the topic, children would be sure to make valuable connections between the fantastically detailed description in the story and what they have been learning. From the home of an upper class family to the bustling market, the excitement of the theatre to the brutality of the gladiator’s arena, 2nd century Londinium is vividly brought to life. The sights, sounds, smells and powerful emotions of each setting will set readers senses alight as they journey with 14 year-old Vita as she strives for justice and freedom.

Vita is the eldest child of a high-born Roman magistrate. With a notable military career behind him, her father is well-respected and powerful. Vita is betrothed to her father’s friend and expected to take on the role of a Roman matron, keep house and be respectable. However, Vita loves the theatre (so much so that she sneaks out of the house disguised as a servent to watch plays at the forum) and all she wants to do is write stories for the stage. Her father recognises her talent but she must do as is expected. On the evening of her feast day celebration, everything changes. Her father is killed and, still wearing servent’s clothing, Vita is taken to be sold as a slave.

She finds herself forced to work as a cook’s assistant in the school for gladiators. She shares a cell with Brea, a strong and fierce Briton girl with a pet wolf who fights as a gladiatrix in a quest to survive. During her time there, Vita learns much about the treatment of native communities at the hands of the Romans. What she once thought was glory and success is actually theft, enslavement and murder. She begins to question the Roman class system, ownership of another person and the definition of justice. With Brea and her new friend, Leander, Vita must discover the truth about her father’s death, the fate of her family and who she can trust.

The historical notes at the end of the book are fascinating. They take readers (and their teachers) through every aspect of Roman Londinium in 125 CE.

Thank you to Chicken House and Laura Smythe for this exciting book! Be sure to take a look at the other posts on the blog tour!