The Eagle of the Ninth / Rosemary Sutcliff / 210 pages

Thank heavens for books made into movies because a lot of new readers found this wonderful book on which the movie The Eagle is based. The Eagle of the Ninth is book one of the Roman Britain trilogy and a fascinating look at the Roman occupation of Britain about 127 AD. Marcus, a young Centurion, is injured during his first stint as Cohort Commander in a battle against the Britons in an outpost of the Roman Empire. The story centers on his quest to find out what happened to his father, the Cohort Commander of the Ninth Legion that disappeared into the mists of Caldedonia and never returned. Rich historical background, courageous interesting characters, vibrant descriptions, and a mystery make the book intriguing. It is not a particularly "easy" read because of the Latin terms and names but it is well worth the effort. There's much food for thought too when it comes to considering what it is like to be a conqueror, an occupied country, and the resulting blending of cultures. Recommended for grades 5 & up.