Odysseus

Brief Description: One of the greatest legends in world mythology comes to life in this retelling of the adventures of Odysseus after the fall of Troy. Cunning and wise, Odysseus is the son and successor of King Laertes of Ithaca, and led the Greek army during the Trojan War. Author Geraldine McCaughrean's taut prose brings a modern, thriller-like immediacy to the ancient story while still retaining the characters, details, and even some of the rhythms of the epic poem. This superb retelling includes all the great adventures of Odysseus, including his encounters with the evil Cyclops, the monsters Scylla and Charybdis, the beautiful sorceress Circe, and the vengeful god of the sea and protector of all waters, Poseidon. Filled with excitement, romance, and the timeless power of myth, "Odysseus" makes a perfect companion for young readers interested in learning more about the Greek heroes. Brief Description: Retells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus and his adventures in returning from Troy to his home on the island of Ithaca. Marc Notes: ; Retells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus and his adventures in returning from Troy to his home on the island of Ithaca.. Publisher Marketing: By its evocation of a real or imaged heroic age, its contrasts of character and its variety of adventure, above all by its sheer narrative power, the Odyssey has won and preserved its place among the greatest tales in the world. It tells of Odysseus' adventurous wanderings as he returns from the long war at Troy to his home in the Greek island of Ithaca, where his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus have been waiting for him for twenty years. He meets a one-eyed giant, Polyphemus the Cyclops; he visits the underworld; he faces the terrible monsters Scylla and Charybdis; he extricates himself from the charms of Circe and Calypso. After these and numerous other legendary encounters he finally reaches home, where, disguised as a beggar, he begins to plan revenge on the suitors who have for years been besieging Penelope and feasting on his own meat and wine with insolent impunity. Publisher Marketing: One of the greatest legends in the world is brought to life in ODYSSEUS, the first book of the four-volume HEROES series. Author Geraldine McCaughrean's taught prose brings a modern, thriller-like immediacy to the ancient story, while still retaining the characters, details and even some of the rhythms of the epic poem. Odysseus and his loyal troops narrowly escape being eaten by the Cyclops, shipwrecked by Scylla and Charybdis, and turned into pigs by the beautiful Circe. The company must travel to Hell (or Hades) and back, dodge the constant pursuit of the vengeful Poseidon, and row across oceans in order to get back home where Odysseus' wife, Penelope fends off a gaggle of greedy suitors bent on taking Odysseus' throne. Filled with excitement and romance, ODYSSEUS makes a perfect sequel for any young readers interested in learning more about the Greek heroes portrayed in the summer 2004 blockbuster, TROY. Review Citations:

Kirkus Review - Children 11/15/2004 pg. 1091 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 12/13/2004 pg. 69 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Booklist 12/15/2004 pg. 739 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 12/01/2004 pg. 163 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2005 pg. 302 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2005 pg. 113 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2005 pg. 47 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2006 pg. 46 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2009 pg. 62 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Wilson Children's Catalog 01/01/2010 pg. 61 (EAN 9780812627213, Hardcover)

Booklist 07/01/1995 pg. 1873 (EAN 9780192741301, Hardcover)

Kirkus Review - Children 05/01/1995 pg. 636 (EAN 9780192741301, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/1995 pg. 332 (EAN 9780192741301, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  McCaughrean, Geraldine Geraldine McCaughrean is the Printz Award-winning author of The White Darkness. She has been honored with England's most prestigious children's book award, the Carnegie Medal, and is the only three-time winner ever of the Whitbread Children's Book Award. She also wrote Peter Pan in Scarlet, the first official sequel to the treasured masterpiece Peter Pan, and the critically acclaimed The Death-Defying Pepper Roux. Geraldine lives in Berkshire, England, with her husband and actress daughter.