When the volcano Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago, the city of Pompeii disappeared under the ash.

Four hundred years ago, Pompeii was rediscovered. The ash had preserved Pompeii so well that buildings, mosaics, statues and other artefacts have survived to the present day.

So step back in time and discover what life was like in the Roman times. This is a Band 06/Orange book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which offers varied text and characters, with action sustained over several pages.

This is an information book with a timeline of events on pages 22 and 23, from eruption to discovering the lost city in the present day, allowing children to recap and discuss.

This book supports discussions around history and what homes were like a long time ago.

This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. For more guided reading books in this Collins Big Cat band, try Fire!

Fire! (9780007186037) by Maureen Haselhurst.