Robyn Bavati's Reviews > The Boy Who Stepped Through Time

An engaging, thought-provoking work of historical fiction with a touch of magic.

On holiday in France, Perry and his family drive to the grape harvest festival, set among ruins from ancient Roman times. Perry goes exploring alone, inadvertently ‘stepping through time’ to become the slave, Peregrinus. He is befriended by the mischievous Carotus and the master’s daughter Valentia. Much as he enjoys their company, he misses his family and his life, and tries to get back. But when he remembers that he has seen Valentia’s grave and understands that she died soon after her eleventh birthday, he realises he must find a way to avert her fate. It is through sacrificing his own comfort to save her that Perry becomes a truly heroic protagonist.

In this story, the ancient Roman period is brought to life in such rich and vivid detail that the reader learns so much without even trying – how people lived, their customs and festivals, how they dressed, what they ate, and the games children played. But it’s not only history buffs who will enjoy this book. It has humour, adventure and suspense, and the well-drawn characters are both convincing and relatable.

The comparison between life then and now will provide much food for thought for young readers, as will the subtle but important lesson about not judging the past by the present.

Highly recommended!