This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE)

Max is on a school trip to Chester to visit some Roman ruins. As he takes a little nap after lunch he is suddenly transported back in time ... and before him stands a fully armed Roman Gladiator!

Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills.

Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

The Key Stage 2 Reading Champion Books are suggested for use as follows:

• Independent Reading 11: start of Year 3 or age 7+
• Independent Reading 12: end of Year 3 or age 7+
• Independent Reading 13: start of Year 4 or age 8+
• Independent Reading 14: end of Year 4 or age 8+
• Independent Reading 15: start of Year 5 or age 9+
• Independent Reading 16: end of Year 5 or age 9+
• Independent Reading 17: start of Year 6 or age 10+
• Independent Reading 18: end of Year 6 or age 10+