It's off to Italy for Mimi and Papa and their two grandchildren, Christina, 10 and Grant, 7. Mimi, a children's book writer, is writing a new mystery set in Italy, and Papa is going to visit an old friend. It doesn't take long for a mystery to unfold as Christina discovers a puzzling advertisement in an Italian newspaper...and suspicious men in black trench coats! Follow Christina, Grant, and their two new friends, Luigi and Francesca, as they look for clues while exploring Italy on fast scooters and floating gondolas! Things get even more interesting as the kids end up in the middle of Carnivale holiday festivities! (Who is really behind that mask?) Don't miss the adventure and action as the kids solve The Mystery at the Roman Colosseum. This mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and cliffhanger chapters that keep kids begging for more! This mystery includes SAT words, educational facts, fun and humor, Built-In Book Club and activities. This book includes a map, inline glossary definitions, and lots more! This Carole Marsh Mystery also has an Accelerated Reader quiz, a Lexile Level, a Fountas & Pinnell guided reading level and a Developmental Reading Assessment. LOOK what's in this mystery - people, places, history, and more! Places: Sistine Chapel The Colosseum The Leaning Tower of Pisa St. Peter's Square Piazza della Minerva The Pantheon Trevi Fountain Piazza Navona Piazza D. Mercato Centrale Piazza San Marco Pisa International Airport and Leonardo da Vinci Airport Milan Sicily Sardinia Salerno Pompeii Harry's Bar Many sights in Rome, including the Arch of Constantine, the Mamertine Prison, and Capitoline Hill Many sights in Florence, including the Cloister of the Dead, the Uffizi, and the Statue of David Many sights in Venice, including the Ca' d'Oro, the Grand Canal, and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Educational Items: Italian geography Typical Italian food including gelato, Italian Wedding Soup, gnocchi History of the Leaning Tower of Pisa Facts about Vatican City Facts about Rome Information on many Italian artists, including Michelangelo and Botticelli, their works, and their mediums History of the Colosseum History of the Trevi Fountain The Renaissance Astrolabes and sundials Transportation in Venice (gondolas, gondoliers, the Grand Canal, vaporettos) Carnivale- including its history, traditions, costumes Mardi Gras Obelisks and hieroglyphics Screen Actors Guild Eurostar, Italy's fastest train History of the tarantella dance Rome water The Roman forum and Julius Caesar The Black Plague Lighting candles in prayer Italy's volcanoes The Italian Alps History of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius, the ruins and excavation Academy of Fine Arts Roman gods and goddesses Winter solstice. People: Michelangelo and Botticelli, their works, and their mediums Galileo Roman gods and goddesses La Befana, Italian version of Santa Claus Romulus and Remus Peggy Guggenheim Gladiators Julius Caesar Napoleon's conquering of Italy Tale of Pinocchio