This brilliant piece of historical fiction encompasses not only vivid and well researched descriptions of the infamous volcanic eruption, but also sweeps the theme of slavery under the Romans up into its narrative. Anna Fargher's specialty is historical stories which have animals as the protagonist - 'The Umbrella Mouse' is set during World War two, while 'The Fire Cats Of London' gives the reader an animal-centric experience of the Great Fire of London - which is a great way for kids to access these points in time. At first it can feel odd to be reading dialogue between dogs, but the more you read, the more it works. She weaves a story of family, friendship, loyalty and bravery that ramps up gradually but by the end, when Delta is heroically battling through falling fire and ash to fight for her family, the stakes are high and the book is hard to put down. Despite the bleak setting, and the looming inevitablity of the destruction Vesuvius will wreak, Fargher manages to make this a tale of hope, of courage winning out, and of good triumphing over evil.