Wanted for Non Fiction Monday: More (!) Greek Myths

My son is like many young readers. He goes through reading obsessions. The first was sharks, which lasted a full year. Shark physiology is permanently imprinted on my brain. Did you know sharks don't have bones? How many sets of teeth do sharks have? What can you tell me about the cookie-cutter shark?

Since then we've read about snakes, airplanes (but not trains or other machines), stones and minerals (for me the worst of the lot), Star Wars, otters and other mammals. Now at 7 he's into the Greek myths.

Of all the Greek myth books, his favorite is the -ology one: Mythology. Why? It has a nice ratio of text to illustration and, most importantly, the pictures are realistic (as far as illustrations of Greek gods can be considered to be realistic). He wants his Greek gods and goddesses served up in grand faux-Baroque style. He can sit and read this one for hours.

He does like the classic D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths, but the illustrations don't thrill him and there simply are not enough of them for a seven year old.

He loves Marcia Williams's informal story-telling style in Greek Myths, but doesn't appreciate the gods appearing as cartoons. For some reason this offends his sensibilities, though I think they're pretty cute.

This kid has fallen for audio books as seriously as he has for Greek gods and goddesses. He loves to listen and wander (especially outside) whenever he has the chance. It frees him from the couch and from being right next to me to listen to a story. On audio, he especially loves Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series and can't wait for The Battle of the Labyrinth along with the rest of the world.

Another great Greek myth audio selection is Mary Pope Osborne's Tales from the Odyssey which he listened to over the course of a weekend and multiple times since.

So on this non-fiction Monday (myths are filed in Non Fiction, after all), I come to you with the following question: Which book of Greek myths is your favorite for young readers and why?

I'd also make this comment to the publishing industry: Just because D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths is again in print doesn't mean we don't need more. Kids can't get enough of the Greek myths, especially if the illustrations can fit the tales. Might I suggest Paul O. Zelinsky? Who would you choose to illustrate the Greek myths? (Okay, I realize this is a second question.)

Review: The Titan's Curse

The Titan's Curse, volume 3 in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, is as action-fueled, thrilling and humorous as its predecessors.

The action begins when Percy's mother drops him, Annabeth (daughter of Athena), and Thalia (daughter of Zeus), off at Westover Hall, a boarding school in Maine. They had been summoned by Grover, satyr and Percy's best friend, who identified two children there as demigods. Before long, the trouble begins in the form of the Headmaster/manticore, and Percy and friends are on the run. In a struggle, Annabeth disappears, while Percy, Thalia, the two newly identified half-bloods (the di Angelo twins), and Grover encounter Artemis and her hunters.

Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, travels only with girls who achieve immortality by forsaking "the company of men" and "accept eternal maidenhood." She helps Percy and company back to Camp Half-Blood by summoning her twin brother, Apollo. Shortly thereafter, Artemis herself disappears and the prophecy states that a group of five must save Artemis (and Annabeth), an Ophiotaurus (a sea cow), and prevent Olympus from being overthrown.

The Titan's Curse serves up the action and the thrills, but goofy humor is present throughout. Consider this exchange when Apollo appears to escort Percy and friends back to camp:

"...he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. 'I feel a haiku coming on.'

The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo before.

He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.

Green grass breaks through snow.
Artemis pleads for my help.
I am so cool.

He grinned at us, waiting for applause.

'That last line was only four syllables,' Artemis said.

Apollo frowned. 'Was it?'

'Yes. What about I am so big-headed?'

'No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm.' He started muttering to himself.

Zoe Nightshade turned to us. 'Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta--'

'I've got it!' Apollo announced. 'I am so awesome. That's five syllables!''

While The Titan's Curse is told from Percy's perspective, as are The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse is much more an ensemble novel than the previous two. We learn more about Thailia, daughter of Zeus, and about relationships between the gods. Percy is also more grown up and less angst-ridden than previously, ready to take on the challenges of the future and to take his place as a hero.

The Titan's Curse is highly recommended for Middle Grade readers. As an aside, I'll mention that my six-year-old son loves the Percy Jackson series in audio format.

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Other Blog Reviews:

Becky's Book Reviews
A Fuse #8 Production
Scholar's Blog