Published by Greenwillow Books (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Pages: 144
Ages: 8 and up
Publishers Summary: While making his daily deliveries, a baker’s son suddenly finds himself holding a stallion’s golden lead. Soon the boy discovers that this isn’t just any horse, it’s the most powerful creature in all of Rome.
What will the mad emperor do if he finds the boy with his prized horse? Cut off his head? Or worse?
Marcus is the son of a baker and for as long as he can remember he’s been the go-to kid to blame when something goes wrong. So when he arrives home with the terrorizing emperor’s prized horse (oddly enough, his Consul as well) all fingers are pointed in his direction. From this point it’s up to Marcus to make the decision, does he return the horse and risk his life or stay and risk his entire family’s life?
This was a very quick and fun read. My copy from the publisher was a mere 96 pages and I finished it in a quick hour or so. Most Wanted is about a young boy who has to make a stand and learn to stand up for himself. When he’s suddenly the new best friend of a very important horse, Marcus struggles to escape the penalties that come with his indecision. The horse, Incitatus, is the “pet” and Consul to a crazy emperor nicknamed Little Boots. The emperor is known for terrorizing his subjects just because he can. So, needless to say, Marcus is a little terrified about having befriended this very important horse.
What I really enjoyed about this quick story was the example of Marcus. Though in the beginning his indecision may seem immature, it rings true with his age and as he progresses throughout the remainder of the book you see him come into his own. It’s also a story I could easily see young boys enjoying. There is some mention when it comes to the treatment of the subjects of the emperor that gets a bit ugly, but nothing too objectionable.
Kate Thompson’s recent release, Most Wanted is definitely a book young readers will enjoy and be able to read quickly. Not only is it a great look into the life of a very fascinating part of history, but it’s also a story of an incredible young boy. Most Wanted is the perfect dip into the waters of the Roman period and one even reluctant readers will enjoy.
The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 10 and up. Some mild violence, but otherwise a wonderful look into the history of the Roman time period and an enjoyable read.
This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins Childrens (find them on Twitter here). Thank you!
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Great review
Sounds delightful.
Though I’m not certain this would make my own wish list, I can definitely see where it would speak to younger readers. Great job as usual Danielle! Thanks for sharing….and happy reading!