The Boy Who Stepped Through Time

An accidental trip back to the Roman Empire sets off a race against time to save a friendship - and a life. A thrilling time-slip adventure from a much-loved Australian author. When Perry steps into a crumbling ruin while on holiday in France, he is not expecting to be transported back 1700 years to Roman times. While he hunts desperately for a way home, he must blend in as a slave - even if it means eating mice for dinner! Gradually, Perry is caught up in the fascinating world of grand Villa Rubia and a life he could never have imagined. But when he makes a new friend, he thinks he might already know her terrible fate. Perry is faced with an impossible choice: to find his way home or stay and guard his friend's life - and risk being trapped in the past forever... Comes complete with a glossary and researchers notes for readers who are keen to learn more.

Anna Ciddor has always been fascinated by the past. It would be her dream come true to step through time! Instead, she immerses herself in research and hunts out the tiniest details so she can bring the past to life in her imagination - and in her books.

Anna's meticulous work has been recognized by a grant from the Literature Board of the Australia Council, three of her novels have been selected as Notable Books by the Children's Book Council of Australia, and several have been translated into other languages to be enjoyed around the world. Most recently, in 2021 Anna was the recipient of the Nance Donkin Literary Award.

CONTENTS
I CAMILLA…WHO? 1
II THE FESTIVAL 8
III ROMAN TREASURE 17
IV THE VILLA 23
V THE GIRL WITH THE CAT 32
VI SLAVE 38
VII CEREMONY 46
VIII IN THE KITCHEN 51
IX NIGHT TIME 59
X THE NAME ON THE COFFIN 65
XI THE GRAPE HARVEST 69
XII BOXERS 80
XIII THE HOLE IN THE STONE 86
XIV WINE 92
XV THE WAX TABLET 100
XVI BUCCO 109
XVII NEWS 118
XVIII THE NEW PRESS 125
XIX GOODBYE 130
XX THE JOURNEY BEGINS 137
XXI THE SECRET 149
XXII ARELATE 157
XXIII TOWN HOUSE 165
XXIV BATHHOUSE 172
XXV SCHOOL 183
XXVI RUFUS 191
XXVII HAPPY BIRTHDAY 198
XXVIII THE PAINTED TREE 210
XXIX WHO DID IT? 222
XXX SNAILS AND RIDDLES 227
XXXI SATURNALIA 233
XXXII THE MAGICIAN 243
XXXIII NEW YEAR’S EVE 249
XXXIV EMPEROR CONSTANTINE 255
XXXV THE PLAN GOES WRONG 269
XXXVI THE IMPERIAL MINT 276
XXXVII HERO 285
XXXVIII WILL IT WORK? 289
XXXIX A REAL BALL! 295
XL ARLES MUSEUM 302
GLOSSARY 311
THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BOOK 316