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Other level B novice Latin texts:
by Lance Piantaggini at Magister P – A Roman matron has a secret. Who else knows?
A young boy wants a dog but his parents do not think he is ready.
What will he do?
by Andrew Stephan Olimpi at Comprehensible Classics – The cyclops Polyphemus has strange visitors and learns the hard lessons of love.
by Andrew Stephan Olimpi at Comprehensible Classics – Bad fathers and rebellious children all in god form.
by Jocelyn Demuth offers eye catching visual support for the novice reader about dogs and the Roman army.
Labyrinthus by Andrew Olimpi offers novice level Latin learners access to a familiar myth. The title uses frequent images throughout the text to support the needs of the novice level reader. Students new to the ancient world will find readable stories that teach famous myths, often with an unexpected perspective. Labyrinthus and other Olimpi titles add depth for novice level students as they progress through a free voluntary reading, silent sustained or self directed reading program.
The story begins with an introduction to Ariadna which allows first person and third person perspectives as she describes herself, family and home. Sentences typically follow a subject, object verb order in short sentences that offer repetition and support to the novice learner. Descriptive language such as adjectives and ablative nouns appear enough to add detail without overwhelming the novice level reader.
The reader quickly learns about her unique family. The family theme continues with an introduction of Icarus and Daedalus. As the story continues, an oracle allows the reader exposure to the future tense based in the simple style the reader has experienced so far in the title. This allows the novice reader to comprehend what is happening without becoming overwhelmed with a new verb tense.
The reader experiences the story of Daedalus and Icaurus and the Minotaur from Ariadne’s perspective. This offers interesting scenes as she attempts to determine what is happening at certain events. As Ariadne’s path crosses with Daedalus and Icarus she learns secrets and realizes much of the situations disturb her. As she attempts to remove herself from these disturbing situations many secrets are exposed between her and Daedalus and Icarus.
As usual, Olimpi hooks the reader just enough to want to find out more, like a new secret, without overwhelming the reader. This title works well for a 2nd semester Latin 1 student but many upper level students enjoy reading it because the story unfolds in a way that guides the reader to seek more. Labyrinthus is a must have title, especially for novice level readers, but as an easy reading option for intermediate readers as well.
Comprehensible Antiquity 
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