Our family really enjoys The Imagination Station series of historically based early chapter books for emerging readers. After reading the first book (which focused on the famous Vikings Eric the Red and Leif the Lucky) we were eager to get started with the second book – Attack at the Arena. With a Flesch-Kincaid grade level of 2.3, this was an easy read alone for my eight-year-old and an eagerly anticipated read aloud for my five-year old.

Once again cousins Patrick and Beth are sent backwards in time courtesy of the Imagination Station, where they encounter life in ancient Rome as they search for the monk’s cup. Dressed in the clothing of a slave girl Beth is seized and taken to the palace of the emperor Honorius while Patrick – clothed in monk garments – is claimed as a fellow man of the cloth by the monk Telemachus.

In some ways, Attack at the Arena is even more exciting for me than Voyage with the Vikings in that it covers a notable event in Christian history that is little covered. Whether actual or legendary, it is hard to say, but the story of Telemachus and his intervention in the blood-filled Roman gladiatorial games is a moving example of courage and following God’s leading nonetheless.

The only thing I would change is the historical order of the books in the series. I would love it if the books were in chronological order as the series progresses. Instead each book seems to be a rather random historical event though they do build on each other in terms of advancing the quest to save Mr. Whitaker’s long-ago relative Albert.

For only $5 each, these early readers are an excellent value and filled with adventurous, cliff-hanging chapters that keep children moving at a rapid clip. Simply written with an enthralling plot line, I highly recommend this series for building interest in self-directed reading!

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )

Not too long ago, I was able to review Voyage of the Vikings (Imagination Station books) the first book in the Imagination Station series (Adventures in Odyssey). So, I was excited to received Attack at the Arena this past week. This is the second book in the series. In this book, Patrick and Beth's adventure continues when they head back in time to ancient Rome. Their mission is to find a silver cup in the hopes of helping a mysterious man named Albert. Patrick and Beth discover a lot about ancient Rome and get into a little bit of trouble along the way. The other books in this series are: Voyage of the Vikings (book 1), Peril in the Palace (book 3), and Revenge of the Red Knight (book 4). This series is recommended for children ages 7 and up.

I really enjoyed reading this second book in the series. This book does a great job carrying the exciting mystery that was begun in the first book. Also, I like the fact that this book is not only a mystery, but it also helps children learn a little bit about ancient Rome in the process. I would highly recommend this book.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers in an exchange for an honest review. ( )

Mr Whitaker has done it again! For years he has been tinkering on the Imagination Station and sharing it with kids of all ages in his Ice Cream Shop Whit's End! Now kids 7 and Up can take a ride on The Imagination Station since a series for younger kids has been released, starting with "Voyage With The Vikings" and "Attack At The Arena".

Written for early readers, ages 7 and up, the new series features the virtual reality device, the Imagination Station, which is one of the major plot devices used in the Adventures in Odyssey radio series. Nobody knows the inner workings of the mysterious device, invented by Odyssey's Mr. Whittaker, but with a push of a button, it launches users back in time to experience historical events in-person.

In this new series of books Patrick and his cousin Beth go on a series of trips into the past where they learn about history, who Eric the Red was, have props that only Whit knows they need and have to find an artifact to bring home with them.

Beth and Patrick then meet a monk named Telemachus in Attack in the Arena, roam through Roman History and meet a Roman Emperor. You will receive a Family Devotional with this book which is a great way to get kid's thinking about Rome's purpose in the spread of the gospel. There are family activities and a parents page included with each book in the series too!

Each of The Imagination Station books are $4.99 and could easily be added to your homeschool, church or school library at a great price! Other books coming out are: Revenge Of The Red Knight (15th Century England & the Crusades) and Peril In the Palace (China & Kublai Khan). Get the first three books in this series for $14.97 - what a great Easter Basket addition!

My thoughts: This series of books will be a wonderful addition to any beginning reader's library. Due to some of theme's in the books (the Roman Arena) you may want to read through or at least scan through before you read the book with your younger children (say 5/6 and up) as there is mention of violence and sacrifice. You may want to use this as an opportunity to read WITH your children during family devotions, before school starts, in the car, etc - just be aware of your child's emotional maturity and that they will have questions for you. ( )