Customer Reviews

The White Isle

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I had never heard of Caroline Dale Snedeker before being appointed to review her book, The White Isle. The book had the appearance of an old history story that I may have passed up when I was twelve years old, but it would have been a great misfortune! I found myself being pulled through the pages and into the world of Lavinia Claudia. The Claudian family is forced to leave Rome during a time when Christianity is just starting to become well-known. Lavinia, having always been a pagan Roman is fearful of Christians, having been brought to believe that they would kidnap her and kill her.

As Lavinia's family travels through Gaul to the White Isle in Britain they are met with many hardships along the way. Snedeker keeps you on the edge of your seat until finally Lavinia finds Christianity and peace.

The White Isle is appropriately marked `ages 12-adult' in my opinion, but not because of sensitive topics-it takes a more mature mind to appreciate the length that Snedeker goes to in order to provide amazing details. Did you know that a bride must sleep in her wedding attire the night before her wedding? How much do you know about the hierarchies of Rome? Did you ever consider that the people of Rome had to be careful in the wind to avoid losing their togas?

I am barely scratching the surface. Read this out loud with your child, I promise you won't be disappointed.

I still remember this book even after 40 years. It is a great way to learn about the history of the Roman Empire and the beginnings of the Christian faith. The story is compelling and allows the reader to imagine life in the past. Some things, like wanting to belong, never change. This book started my interest in history. I would love to have the chance to read this again.