Books in You Wouldn't Want to Be series

It's the end of the 15th century, and your local castle is looking for a jailer. Do you want the job?This interactive series will enthrall young and reluctant readers (Ages 8-12) by making them part of the story, inviting them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history. Your charges will include all sorts of people, from hardened criminals to people with mental illnesses-and you won't be expected to treat them kindly. This new extended edition includes a castle timeline, a guide to spooky castles, and some real-life grisly stories.

Get ready...as a harderned sailor, you're about to join Shackleton in what will prove to be one of the most gruelling adventures of all time as you brave your way across the bitterly cold continent of Antarctica. As you encounter extreme cold, strong icy winds and a worrying lack of food and water, you'll soon see why you really wouldn't want to join Shackleton's polar expedition! This title in the popular You Wouldn't Want to Be series features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail. This extended edition features brand new extra content including a timeline, fun facts a list of 'top' characters and a map.

Get ready...as a young man living in the Roman Empire, you've heard many stories about far-away lands and people. It sounds exciting but you're about to discover how tough life really is for a Roman soldier! The humorous cartoon-style illustrations and narrative approach encourage readers to get emotionally involved with the characters, aiding their understanding of what life would have been like. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of non-fiction texts for young readers. This work fits into KS2 History and is in ideal text for shared and guided reading for KS2 pupils within the framework of the National Literacy Strategy. It helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

Get ready...as a 12-year-old girl living in Britain in the 1880s, you are about to start work for a wealthy family. You will be busy all day long as a Victorian servant. This title can be used as a background approach to wider issues in Victorian times, such as class divides, daily life and the position of men and women. The humorous illustrations make learning fun, and encourage young readers to engage with the central servant character. Informative captions, a glossary and an index make this title an ideal and fun introduction to the conventions of non-fiction text. It is relevant to Key Stage 2 history and helps to achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

This interactive series will enthrall young and reluctant readers (Ages 8-12) by making them part of the story.Invites readers to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history. You are a young man of noble family in the Central Valley of Mexico. Your city is about to be visited by your overlords, the Aztecs: fearsome warriors who practice human sacrifice. Will you be one of their victims? This new extended edition includes a map and a timeline of the Aztec civilization, and a selection of chilling facts.

Get ready . . . as a young French sculptor, you're about to embark on one of the most ambitious artistic projects of the 19th century.This interactive series will enthrall young and reluctant readers (Ages 8-12) by making them part of the story, inviting them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history. There's not a moment's rest for a worker on the Statue of Liberty. Find out all about the inspiration for the statue, the process of its construction, and its journey to New York city.

Get ready . . . you're a princess born into the Egyptian royal family. But it's not easy living in the palace.This interactive series will enthrall young and reluctant readers (Ages 8-12) by making them part of the story, inviting them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history. From family betrayals to Roman generals, you will discover it's not easy being Cleopatra! Find out all about the eventful life, great loves, and tragic fate of the most famous of all Egyptian queens.

You are a 10-year-old girl living in London with your family in 1938. When the German air force begins dropping bombs on the city, the government decides to evacuate you and thousands of other children to the English countryside. An uncertain life of rural hardship, bullying and loneliness awaits you. "You Wouldn't Want To Be" is a constantly-growing library of exciting titles which transport the reader to the grisliest times and places in history. The first-person narrative approach puts the reader in the shoes of some of the most unfortunate people ever to have lived. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations bring the characters to life, while informative captions explain processes or chronological events.