Books for Children: The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence

Think you might like reading a historical mystery book series set in ancient Rome?  (Written for young readers but nobody has to know you’re an adult. One of my guilty pleasures is reading children's books.)  Here is a recommendation. This series has won awards. It’s called The Roman Mysteries and was written by Caroline Lawrence. Her goal for undertaking this task was to entertain children while reading and educate them about this ancient civilization. She succeeded. In fact, her books received praise from teachers and parents, as well as awards and recognition. This is not the only mystery series she has written but since it deals with life in ancient Rome which is one of my favorite topics, it is being suggested for mystery lovers who also have an interest in the Roman Empire.

Set in 1^st century A.D., Book 1 of the series is titled “The Thieves of Ostia”. The last of the series, Book 17 is “Man from Pomegranate Street”. The reading material targets ages 10 through 14 and the novels are available in various formats: hard copy, audio, digital, etc.
♦♦♦♦♦♦

The books were adapted to film and you can watch the episode on YouTube.  Below is the complete Roman Mysteries book series:

The Thieves of Ostia (1)

The Secrets Of Vesuvius (2)

The Pirates Of Pompeii (3)

The Assassins Of Rome (4)

The Dolphins Of Laurentum (5)

The Twelve Tasks Of Flavia Gemina (6)

The Enemies Of Jupiter (7)

The Gladiators From Capua (8)

The Colossus Of Rhodes (9)

The Fugitive From Corinth (10)

The Sirens Of Surrentum (11)

The Charioteer Of Delphi (12)

The Slave-Girl From Jerusalem (13)

The Beggar Of Volubilis (14)

The Scribes From Alexandria (15)

The Prophet From Ephesus (16)

The Man From Pomegranate Street (17)

The Slave-Girl From Jerusalem

This exciting adventure recreates the siege at Masada.

Caroline Lawrence has also written other historical mysteries. View Her Author's Page.

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Bush Jr. and Obama (with Suggested Reading)

Final post in this series: 

(Donald Trump was elected after Obama.  Worse memory of a POTUS ever!)
 
POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan to Bush Sr. and Clinton ... 


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43 rd POTUS, George Bush Jr. (2001 – 2009) 
 
Not being disrespectful but there are lines from a Disney animated film that sum up my thoughts about this administration. 
 
A young deer had received wise advice from his mother, but she had to remind him of her instructions by having him repeat what she had told him. 

• Momma Deer: “Now Thumper! What did I tell you?” 

• Young Deer named Thumper: (Heaves a huge sigh before speaking.) “If you can't nothing good … (Another huge sigh.) … don't say nothing at all.” 

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44 th POTUS, Barack Obama (2009 – Present) 
 
“Change has come to America.” Indeed. That “change” will be leaving come January 2017.  No doubt your intentions were honorable and the custodians of American history will likely make a special effort to ensure that the record accurately reflects the highlights of your administration – the good, the bad and the “questionable”. 
 
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So that's it! Presidential DOTs on my timeline from 1955 to 2016. Still proud to be an American; anchored by the belief and knowledge that this country must be standing because of the grace of God. 

glitter-graphics.com
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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Jr. and Obama".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: George Bush Sr. and William "Bill" Clinton (with Suggested Reading)

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to Reagan ... 

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41st POTUS, George Bush Sr. (1989 – 1993)
 
Was working for the federal government in Washington, D.C., at the time. Bush Sr.'s years in office as POTUS – 1989 through 1993 - coincided with a time of personal crisis for my husband, my young children, and me. Because of our “present distress”, didn't really focus much on what was happening in the world of politics, except if it was a “Bush agenda item” that was in some way work-related. Do remember that the campaigning FOR the presidency took on a ruthless and vicious tone. Once elected, however, Bush Sr. said something about being glad it was over and moving toward “a kinder and gentler America” . You'll have to ask him directly where he was coming from with that statement. Recollections of that time period in my life are very blurry. 
 




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42nd POTUS, William Clinton (1993 – 2001)

 
People say things got much better for the general population during Clinton's years in the Oval Office. Sadly, only thing that pops out of my memory box is a brew ha ha about him getting a B.J. from a White House intern and cries for his impeachment. And … uuummm … ??? Oh yeah! Lots of Saturday Night Live comedy skits. 
 
Around about the same time, things did start getting better for my family and life was becoming less stressful and distressful. But the changes or improvements can not be attributed to whoever the leader of the nation was. It's the leader of the Fox family who gets full credit for turning things around. We weathered the storm with my husband at the ship's helm and he steered us through perilous and treacherous “waters”. 
 
We passed through and survived to meet and greet POTUS Number 43. Next! 
 





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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Bush Sr. and Clinton".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Ronald Reagan (with Suggested Reading)

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to Ford and Carter to … 


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40th POTUS, Ronald Reagan (1981 – 1988)

 

Mr. Reagan truly desired or aspired to be the president. He spent years trying to accomplish this objective. Finally. One day. It happened. He got himself elected. He was inaugurated on the very same day I started working for the United States Customs Service, now known as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
He wasn't too keen on funding health, education and welfare or social programs like that. Just because Jesus said “The poor ye have always with you”, that doesn't mean those in poverty should be a priority budget item. 
 
He wanted to privatize functions like the postal service. 
 
He was really enthusiastic about space and defense programs. But when the Iran Contra Affair occurred, he told the American people he didn't know a thing about it. He has since departed this life but - if speaking honestly - I was never fully convinced he didn't know. Too late now to split hairs over it. 
 
All of America is glad - whether we agree with his decisions or not - that he survived an attempt on his life. The shooter wasn't even politically motivated. The idiot guy was just trying to impress a girl. A girl he didn't even know! God spared Mr. Reagan's life. Amen!

That's my recall/wrap-up of MY opinions and views of Reaganomics and his policies. 
 
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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Reagan".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter (with Suggested Reading List)

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower  to Kennedy  to Johnson and Nixon to …

• Similar to my previous post, combining these next two POTUS Dots also.

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38th POTUS, Gerald Ford (1974 – 1977)

Served as Vice-President with Nixon and was then elected as President. He pardoned Nixon and some of US were not too happy about that. The overall sentiment went something like:

• Dirty rotten crooked scoundrel politicians!! Q)Y*X}{@#!R{(TB# … Good old boys network! … (&_R #c ybB6T-!!& &% … etc.

 
Nothing else memorable to report about this administration. Either it was a quiet time or he was a quiet man. Not in the spotlight very often. (O.o) 
 
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39th POTUS, Jimmy Carter (1977 – 1981)

What with Watergate Scandal, Spiro WHO?, and Ford WHO?, and then a Presidential pardon after all of the uproar … the American people started asking a different type of “WHO” question: 

• “WHO out there is an honest politician?”

Someone suggested:

• “Well there is this peanut farmer who goes to church every Sunday.”

 Americans are like: “Fine! Vote him in!”
 
After all, he can't be any worse than a dishonest politician. Right?
 
The mild-mannered Mr. Carter encouraged energy conservation; and he was (and still is) a principled man of peace who succeeded in getting two political leaders of countries – not known for being BFFs – Israel and Egypt - to actually shake hands and publicly agree on a peace accord. Regardless of what actually happened after that, he meant it for good .

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Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford https://t.co/rNtdd7Wx8G via @amazon #Americanhistory #Americanpresidents
"Goodreads Choice" #books #readinglist pic.twitter.com/JD2wzF8f9H

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 20, 2022

My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Ford and Carter".

American Presidents During My Lifetime: Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon (with Suggested Reading)

POTUS Dots from Eisenhower to Kennedy to ...

• Will have to combine these next two POTUS Dots. Not a lot to extract by way of recollection for one of them.

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36th POTUS, Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969)

 
As Vice-President for John F. Kennedy, he had to step into the shoes of the slain President and pick up where he left off, continuing to move America forward. My memories of this administration are dominated by all the public protests against the Vietnam War , and by a lot of really good music during that time period containing song lyrics inspired by the various significant political issues of the day. Want to hear the songs of that generation just listen to the some of the background music for the movie Forrest Gump, which starred Tom Hanks.
 
Of course, my memories include the Civil Rights Movement . It's a perfect day to mention this important milestone in America's history because the date of this post - January 18, 2016 - is also being celebrated as MLK Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, notable Civil Rights activist. 

• President Lyndon Johnson shakes hands with Dr. King after the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. | History.com 

• A Beautiful Dream - Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968) | medium.com

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37th POTUS, Richard Nixon (1969 – 1974)  

The Watergate Scandal and Spiro WHO? Remember people saying that about the man Nixon chose to serve with him as Vice-President. Spiro T. Agnew. One would think that with a name like that a person would try to do something more memorable than avoid paying their income taxes. At any rate, Gerald Ford was chosen to take Agnew's place as VEEP and still people kept asking: WHO?? Seems nobody knew him either! (O.o)

See related and more detailed blog post on Nixon.

Nixon Dots on My Timeline (An Opinion Piece) (archived copy)

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Johnson and Nixon".

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America ~ https://t.co/NAVIkFiE8g via @amazon #books #reading #readinglists #Americanpresidents #Americanhistory pic.twitter.com/RHfNTBLxHk

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 20, 2022

American Presidents During My Lifetime: John F. Kennedy (with Suggested Reading List)

Continuing to follow the dots on my timeline which started with Eisenhower. 
 
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35th POTUS, John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963) - What do I recall? 
 

 

The grown folks around me sure thought he was a good POTUS. Didn't know much but saw no reason to disagree with them. Have always believed that this man would have been one of the best presidents. But we will never know as he was cut down by an assassin's bullet or bullets. To this day, the identity of his murderer or murderers have never been confirmed. But the day he was shot is etched in my memory forever. People – the adults, that is, in my neighborhood were showing a range of emotions: sorrow, shock, despair, anger, dread. My older sister made a scrapbook of newspaper clippings – everything she could find about JFK. Sadly, don't know what happened to it. Wish I had kept it. Its historical value would have been priceless. 
 

Kennedy's assassination completely changed my understanding of this thing called “politics” in America, and in the world. Politics is dangerous! Not only dangerous but confusing. To want to get rid of a bad leader – like a ruthless dictator or a really cruel monarch - that's understandable. Not saying that's the right thing to do. But to kill a good leader? That is so clearly and obviously wrong. WHY?? Does this mean the good really do die young?? (O.o) 
 
Thoughts from a child's heart. ♥

 
Next two POTUS Dots:  Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon

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My original content first published via Persona Paper, Jan 18, 2016, "POTUS Dots on My Timeline: Kennedy".