Emperor Justinian ordered rebuilding throughout the magnificent 6th century capital of Constantinople. Craftsmen from across the Byzantine Empire will create beautiful buildings and mosaics. Rasmus is a thirteen year old mosaic apprentice. Opportunity and danger await him in the imperial palace. Can Rasmus solve the puzzle and save the emperor?

A complementary resource for the historical fiction novel, this guide is for experienced teachers of tweens age 10-12. Learn more about the history, geography, culture, religion, lifestyle, heroes, government, language, alphabet, writings, art, and music of this place and time. Guides include age-appropriate curriculum elements such as historical reading material, worksheets, writing projects, puzzles, arts & crafts, tests and timeline events.

In 376 AD, Chandra Gupta II will soon be king of Ancient India. He was blessed by the Hindu gods. Thirteen year old Basanti has trained since early childhood as a dancer. As the day of her first solo dance approaches, tragedy strikes her family. Can she win a competition and dance in the Hindu temples or for the new emperor?

Seventeenth century Scotland is ruled by another English king, Charles II. Highland clan’s feud and struggle for power in this beautiful land. Kensie is a twelve year old storyteller who dreams of a future as a bard in a Highland Clan. Will Kensie’s secrets keep her from making her dream come true?

The strong brave native Maori people of 1845 New Zealand are fascinating to Ashtyn. She is a fourteen year old English girl who wants to live with the great Ngapuhi tribe and teach their children. Will the chief and his people accept her? Can she learn and adapt to the unique traditions of the tribe and save her Maori friend from unknown danger?

A brave group of Norse Vikings founded a colony on Greenland in the tenth century. After almost four hundred years the settlement is struggling to survive. Erik is a thirteen year old carver whose life is about to change. Can he trust an old story and a set of runes? Does he have the courage to follow a dream?

The powerful empire of Russia is ruled by a foreign monarch, Catherine the Great. Nobles, peasants and serfs struggle to find their place in the future of this vast land. In 1774, Katie is a fourteen year old girl who dreams of writing for the Russian theatre. Can she discover and tell the real story of the Russian people?