<DIV>Set in 50 B.C., these hysterical historical tales follow the adventures of Asterix and his pals in the days of the Roman Empire. Normally, he's concerned about protecting his town from the legionnaires (with the help of a magic potion), but here something else is on his mind: his surprise birthday party! Meanwhile, two old friends are about to turn up again...and they're up to something interesting. “Great for leading high-school students into discussion of history and literary devices.”—<i>Booklist </i><br></div>