Reading Level: Grades 3-4 Interest Level: Grades 6 – 7
Pet polar bears, public toilets, brutal battle tactics, and hooks to scoop out the brain—the past was a pretty peculiar place. Join the hi-lo adventure exploring ancient times around the world. Struggling readers in grades 6 and 7 won’t be able to put down these accessible books written at a 3rd and 4th grade reading level.
This reviewer evaluated Life in Ancient Greek and Life in Ancient Rome. The books cover a variety of topics including religious beliefs, myths, health, hygiene, and sickness care of the time, sports, and entertainment. The last pages include a “Your Place in History” section that asks questions and makes connections to the readers’ lives. There is also a glossary, index, and further suggested reading for both physical books and online learning. THOUGHTS: The books are presented in a humorously factual way with brightly colored illustrations mixed with photographs which will surely entertain curious students. Some of the facts are shocking and will certainly promote discussion and perhaps further investigation. Ancient history fans will enjoy this series.
The Baffling Behavior in the Past series includes the titles Life in Ancient Rome, Life in Ancient Greece, Life in Ancient Egypt, and Life in the Viking Age. This is an incredibly engaging nonfiction collection for young readers. Each book is organized into double-page spreads that focus on specific topics, and this makes the content accessible and inviting. The table of contents allows students to easily locate information, while the layout also supports readers who prefer to flip to a random page and immediately find something interesting. One of the strengths of the series is its balance of detailed information and kid-friendly appeal. Topics such as beauty routines, pets, gods, and battles are naturally engaging for elementary-aged readers but also provide detailed information about the time period. The authors clearly selected these topics both to provide important background knowledge and to hook kids with fun memorable details. The visual presentation of this series is another strength. Each spread typically includes four short text sections, which helps prevent young readers from feeling overwhelmed by large blocks of text. Potential new vocabulary words are highlighted in bold and explained in a glossary. The books also feature a strong selection of visuals, with each spread containing at least two high-quality images, and many containing additional smaller images or added graphics. Additional resources at the back of each book, including an index, suggested further reading, and a QR code for extended learning, make this series especially useful for both independent exploration and research. Overall, the Baffling Behavior in the Past series is an excellent choice for mid- to upper-elementary students, combining approachable text, engaging topics, and strong visual support to bring ancient history to life.
