The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

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Hero archetypes

Protagonist archetypes

Tropes

Themes

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians! From the Newbery Honor–winning author of The Golden Fleece comes a middle grade volume adapting the classic epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey into more accessible prose, featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout.When Telemachus was only a boy, King Agamemnon commanded his father, Odysseus, to join the Greeks in their war against Troy. Now, years later, Telemachus is a man, and his father still has not returned. To bring his father home—or at least learn of his fate—Telemachus embarks on a journey of his own. As he follows in his father’s footsteps, Telemachus undercovers an epic tale of a perilous sea voyage threatened by the man-eating monster Scylla and the raging whirlpool Charybdis, a respite on the island of the beautiful enchantress Circe, and a standoff with the imposing Cyclôpes Polyphemus. Odysseus wasn’t the only soldier in the Trojan War to tangle with mythological forces. Greek warrior Achilles prayed for and received aide from Zeus and, eventually, wore armor forged by Hephaestus while the Trojan prince Hector drew the attention of Athena and Apollo. Tangled allegiances, otherworldly threats, and ruthless warfare make the story of the war unforgettable. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunning adventure with all the drama and power Homer intended.

Is The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 10 and up.

This middle-grade adaptation of Homer's epics includes mythological violence (battles, monsters, warfare) presented in accessible prose suitable for ages 10+. The adventure focuses on heroism, family bonds, and perseverance without graphic detail.

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