Description: Gladiators, many of them slaves, entertained Roman audiences by fighting with tridents and swords in huge stadiums. Their fights often were to the death. Will you: Fight at the side of Spartacus during a violent gladiator rebellion? Leave your home and family to train at a gladiator school in Pompeii? Try to earn your freedom as a champion gladiator at the Roman Amphitheater?
Brief description: Michael Burgan has written numerous books for children and young adults during his nearly 20 years as a freelance writer. Many of his books have focused on U.S. history, geography, and the lives of world leaders. Michael has won several awards for his writing, and his graphic novel version of the classic tale Frankenstein (Stone Arch Books) was a Junior Library Guild selection. Michael graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in history. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his cat, Callie.