Two thousand years ago, the Silk Road brought together the people of the ancient world, presenting them with unforeseen opportunities -- and dangers.This gripping young adult novel takes readers on a captivating journey back to A.D. 100, where a bolt of sky-blue silk is carried by successive caravans from China to Rome along the ancient Silk Road. The quest to bring precious Chinese silk to Rome involves the efforts of a brave young caravan leader from China; a merchant and his pre-teen son from Turkmenistan; a gifted camel guide from the Middle East; a family of women in Egypt; and the citizens in Rome.