Key information 

Author: Anna Fargher

Illustrator: David Dean

Release Date: 4th July 2024

Star rating: ★★★★★

Book type: Chapter, 224 pages

Genre: Historical fiction, animal perspective

Reader level: Growing reader, Shared read 7+

Age: Year 4+

Overview

Delta and the Lost City is a gripping historical adventure set in AD 79, in the days leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The story follows Delta, a brave and intelligent wolfdog, who lives a peaceful life with her family in a Roman villa near Pompeii. That peace is shattered when Delta witnesses a horrifying crime that forces her to flee, alone and terrified, into the dangerous streets of the city.

As she escapes, Delta encounters Bellona, a powerful and loyal eagle who becomes her companion. Together, they navigate the complex and often cruel world of ancient Pompeii, where slaves, gladiators, and wild animals all face daily struggles. Along the way, Delta begins to understand more about the human world, the injustices it harbors, and her own capacity for courage and compassion.

The tension in the story builds as strange natural signs—earth tremors, unusual animal behavior, and a growing sense of unease—foreshadow the disaster to come. As the volcano begins to erupt, chaos descends on the city. Delta must battle through ash clouds, fire, and destruction in a desperate attempt to return to her family and warn them before it’s too late.

Additional teaching opportunities 

Vocabulary

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