Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
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Book Reviews of Detectives in Togas
Book Review: I'd give this ten stars if I could!
Summary: 5 Stars
One still, quiet morning in Rome, six young boys, pupils of the well-known Xanthos School, try not to snicker as they watch Rufus, the seventh pupil, quietly hang up his wax writing tablet at the front of the room. On it are scratched the words, "Caius is a dumbbell." When Xantippus, the teacher, discovers the prank, he angrily banishes Rufus from the school.
The next morning, the boys are shocked to find those same words scribbled in red paint on the wall of the temple at Minerva, which is dedicated to the mighty ex-consul Tellus. And the words are written in Rufus' own hand! This mystery leads the boys on the most wild and dangerous adventure they could ever have imagined. Is Rufus really at fault, or did somebody forge his handwriting? Why is there a pile of sopping clothes underneath Rufus' bed? And why would somebody want to rob Xantippus' house, knock him out, gag him and stuff him in the wardrobe - and only take a few cheap textbooks and Xantippus' work on the acute angles of the obtuse triangle? It all doesn't make sense. What's more, the clues are leading straight towards Tellus, who is so rich and content that there certainly seems no need to deface a temple in the middle of the night. Then Rufus gets thrown and prison, and the others are determined to rescue him. But when they get trapped in the house of Lukos, the eerie soothsayer, it seems that all hope is gone for Caius and his friends...
This book is absolutely amazing. It's so creepy that it makes me tense up just reading it! All the loose ends are tied neatly in place at the end of the book. The suspense is gripping. I also recommend Henry Winterfeld's other book, "Trouble at Timpetill." I think it's a pity that he has already passed away so that he can't write any more books!
Book Review: Great book. Really enjoyed it.
Summary: 5 Stars
Six boys are searching for clues that will set their friend free from prison. Rufus was captured under the suspicion of writing "Caius is a dumbbell" on the temple wall. Now, his friends are searching for clues that will prove his innocence. The question is: Who is responsible for reporting the crime and who is the vandal besides Rufus? Find out in this interesting, well written book.
The story takes place in ancient Rome. The main characters are Caius, Rufus, Antonius, Mucius, Flavius, Julius, and Publius. They are the boys that attend the Xanthos School. It all begins when the boys arrive at school one morning to find that their teacher has been assaulted. They try to figure out who could have been responsible when another problem occurs. Rufus is sent to prison under suspicion of vandalism and dishonor towards the Emperor. They are convinced that Rufus was not responsible, so they set out to find who is. Their antics include a chase scene and the recollection of an exciting dinner at Tellus's house.
This book by Henry Winterfeld is very well written and fun to read. It's hard to put down. In my opinion, everyone who likes mysteries should read this book.
Book Review: Excellent book for reading aloud!
Summary: 5 Stars
My kids really enjoyed this book. I read it aloud to them last year, when they were in 2nd & 3rd grade, as part of our study of ancient civilizations. The book is set in ancient Rome, but the children are essentially modern. My kids related to them much more than they did to, say, Laura and Mary Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie. Those girls were very much part of the pioneer era they lived in and my kids consider them humorless and boring (blasphemy -- I loved those girls!), unlike the lively boys in this book.
At any rate, the book is a delightful way to learn many interesting facts about daily life in Rome, from how people got their daily news to what their homes and schools were like to what people ate to how the roman baths were cleaned, etcetera.
If you are not inclined to read aloud to your child (and if not, check out Jim Trelease "The Read-Aloud Handbook" - it may change your mind!), I think this book is better suited for the older elementary child, or for one with superior comprehension. My children did ask lots of questions during the reading of this book.
Book Review: Detectives In Togas
Summary: 5 Stars
Detectives In Togas
Detectives In Togas is a book full of great suspense and surprises!It is about a group of boys that live in Ancient Rome. Someone living in Rome wrote something terrible on the temple of Minerva,and it seems that the boys friend Rufus did it;even though he has a kind heart [most of the time]. Did Rufus do it? Read this cool book to find out as a series of events happen. The boys teacher get's attacked,they find an important clue,and the bad guy will probably get away!
I really love this book because it is wonderfully written with descriptive words.IT ALSO MAKES A GREAT READ ALOUD BOOK!I highly recommend this book to anyone[even if you don't like reading]! ANYONE CAN LOVE THIS BOOK!
Book Review: Detectives In Togas
Summary: 5 Stars
Review by Freddy, age 10. Written by Henry Winterfeld in 1956, "Detectives in Togas" is a hilarious and well-written mystery story set in Ancient Rome. "Detectives in Togas"' opening scene is in the Xanthos School classroom, and Rufus has just written "Caius is a dumbbell" on his tablet, starting a teacher-infuriating squabble - in school! Later, Rufus is arrested for supposedly defacing the Temple of Minerva with his opinion of Caius. However, his six classmates know that he would never do a thing like that, and are determined to find the real culprit. Who is this wily malefactor? How will Antonius, Mucius, Flavius, Julius, Publius, and Caius find their scheming opponent? Find out the answers to all these questions when you read "Detectives in Togas."