The Bronze Dagger (Ancient Elements) (Volume 1)

By Marie Sontag

Description:

Twelve-year-old Samsuluna lives in Mesopotamia during the reign of Hammurabi (1780 BC). He has no place to call home. The lies that Sam spins about the stolen jewels and the death of his father threaten to catch up with him. Will Sam ever learn how to trust his new friends, overcome his quest for revenge, or solve the mystery of the stolen jewels?  

"The Bronze Dagger" is an especially good read for 6th grade students who study Ancient Mesopotamia as part of the 6th grade social studies curriculum. Teacher pages are available.
Book trailer: youtu.be/QoXmqA1mXa8

Book Takeaway:

Finding a place to call home involves learning the real meaning of trust and forgiveness.

Why the author wrote this book:

As a 6th grade social studies and English teacher, I had students read historical fiction books in English that paralleled the time period we covered in social studies. I discovered, however, that there were few historical fiction books available that related to Ancient Mesopotamia. Then I had the privilege of seeing a bronze dagger that came from the Zagros Mountains in about 1700 BC and I realized it came from the same time my students were studying at the time - the time of King Hammurabi. I wanted to purchase the artifact, knowing that, if my students could see it and touch it, it could help bring history to life for my students. Not having the funds, I asked myself, "If that dagger could talk, I wonder what it would say? What did it see? What was it used for? Who made it? Who owned it?" Fictionalized answers to these questions helped me write "The Bronze Dagger", in lieu of actually owning the dagger. Later, I WAS able to purchase the dagger, and now share it when speaking about "The Bronze Dagger" at schools. This first book grew into a series of three books about ancient civilizations, with a series title of Ancient Elements.