| | |  | Books | Home » » Theras and His Town | | | | | | | Description: | | A young boy in fifth-century Greece was raised in Athens and then separated from his family and forced to live in Sparta. This book includes danger, adventure, courage and triumph. Author: Caroline Dale Snedeker Format: Paperback Publisher: American Home School Publishing ISBN: 0-9667067-2-2 | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Caroline Dale Snedeker | | Paperback:
| 237 pages | | Publisher:
| American Home-School Publishing | | Publication Date:
| 2002-01 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0966706722 | | Package Length:
| 8.2 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.7 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.7 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 9 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 9 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Theras and His Town review By Paul HareJan 17, 2005
Theras and his Town is a book about a 5th century young boy who lives in Athens. When his father goes off to war he is killed. His mother is not able to work because of the culture. Therefore a cousin named Mention has to take care of them and he makes, Theras go to Sparta.
Sparta is a city south west of Athens. In Sparta they believe in harsh strict rules, very disciplined military and bloody sacrifices. This is very different from Athens where they believe in singing, art and have kind gods. There Theras goes and is very miserable and doesn't like the way the Spartans live. Finally he finds a shepherd boy named Abas, who helps him escape from Sparta. After a long dangerous journey he makes is to Athens alive. There he finds out that his father may be alive too.
I think this would be a very good book for someone who is studying Athens and Sparta. It vividly describes both of them and shows how it is to live in them. The age group would be around 8-10 because that's how old Theras was. I enjoyed this book because it told so much about Greece and Sparta.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Review of Theras and His Town by Michael PowersDec 28, 2004
[...]
If you were taken away from your family and brought to an unknown place full of strangers, what would you do? This happens to Theras in Caroline Dale Snedeker's adventure novel Theras and His Town. Theras has to fight his way back home to Athens, where his family is before being caught by the Spartans.
The story is set in 5th century Greece, and tells of a brave young Athenian boy, Theras, who loves his town. One day his father goes into battle then news comes telling of his death. Theras' mother wasn't allowed to work. As a result, the mean uncle came, took over the family finances and gave Theras to his cousin to take to Sparta.
The Spartan life was much different then Athenian life. Theras was miserable and missed his family. His life was so bad in Sparta that one day he ran away. He met a boy named Abas and took him on his long journey, to Athens, where they could both be free. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles and dangerous choices that finally lead them safely back to Athens.
Theras and His Town is a very good book. It is full of suspense as Theras takes risks, toughs out bad situations, and learns about not giving up. I recommend it to readers who like an adventurous book about a boy who wouldn't let anything stop him until he got back home with his family.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 I Love this BookFeb 16, 2007
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be taken away from you family, friends and the city that you love? Well in the story "Theras and His Town" by Caroline Dale Snedeker, that is exactly what happens. Theras is the main character and is a lively and curious boy who loves his hometown of Athens. The story is set in ancient Greece. It is about how Theras' father dies in war and his mother can support him. So he is sent to Sparta a place that Theras doesn't like because of their cruelty. While there he meets a boy named Abas and then he finally makes a decision to make the long, dangerous, journey home to Athens with him. This book is well written and makes you feel like you are in ancient Greece. It also has a good amount of action and adventure to make you want to keep reading. I personally love this book because it is a story that you just want to keep on reading. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An excellent intro to daily life in Athens and Sparta for young children...Aug 02, 2005
By Mabila
I recently read this book aloud to my first grader, as part of our study of ancient Greece. He loved it and couldn't wait from chapter to chapter. (In fact, he made off with it a few times to read ahead...) I think a lot of information about daily life in Athens and Sparta really sunk in more with this book than with the many non-fiction resources we've been reading as well. Suddenly it seemed so much more "real" to him.
That said, this is a very "old-fashioned" children's book. The language is a bit archaic (though not difficult), and I would expect older children to be very put off by the tone and the age of the protagonist (about 7-10). My son didn't notice this at all, but if he were a few years older, it might have been annoying. For myself, I found it an amusing peek into yet another time period as I read aloud.
We're looking forward to finding some of CDS's other books to read aloud -- but sooner, rather than later. ... I would say that the book is useful as a read-aloud for ages 5-10 (pushing the limits a bit on both ends) and is readable from about a late second or early third grade level (though obviously individual children will be ready for it at different times).
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Historical reading for childrenNov 30, 2004
By R. Johnston
"makerteachermom"
This book is a classic from years back, and shows an innocence we don't often see in 6th grade literature anymore. It has some battle-type scenes, criminals, and danger, but nothing of which nightmares are made, and no cursing or sex whatsoever. Perfect reading for 6th graders!
This tale is set in 5th century Greece, and tells of a young Athenian boy, Theras, who loves his town. Through a series of unfortunate events (say.... that sounds familiar....) his father is sent off to battle, his mother loses the family place, and his wicked uncle takes over the family finances. Theras is packed off to Sparta, where he discovers much that is different from life in Athens. Seeing the differences between the two cities through the eyes of a young boy (maybe 12 years old? Maybe less?) makes it perhaps more vivid for young readers. As a teacher, I am concerned that a lot of the contrasts are too subtly presented for them to really notice it, something that can be addressed in discussion with the child. Eventually of course he must find a way to escape from Sparta and return to his family in Athens. Most of the book deals with this problem.
On the whole, I like this book. I use it when my 6th grade History class is studying ancient Greece, along with a good copy of the Iliad and The Odyssey, and of course, Du'Laire's Book fo Greek Myths. My own children have read it and said it "wasn't bad." I cannot say that they loved it, but I can say they did not hate it. Theras is a bit too virtuous for youth to really connect with him, as he amost never thinks a bad though, fails to keep an obligation, or do his duty. On the one occasion when he DOES rebel, REALLY BAD THINGS happen to him. The lesson is a bit heavy handed. I found myself cheering the kid on when he got mischievious.
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