Some years ago, an Austin, Texas middle school teacher named
Rick Riordan began writing novels based on Greek mythology as a way to inspire
his students to read more about mythological gods and goddesses. Riordan also
wanted to create a book that featured a main character with ADD, just like one
of his own sons.
The result was “The Lightning Thief,” the first in the
quintet of books about a boy named Percy Jackson whose mother is human and
whose father is the Greek god Poseidon. Set in modern times, “The Lightning
Thief” and the four other novels featuring Percy Jackson have become huge
best-sellers with kids, who love Riordan’s action-packed stories. Kids also
loved idea that the Greek gods are still alive and well and wreaking havoc in
our world, and they quickly began looking for more information about Greek
mythology so they could learn more about the stories behind the gods.
When Riordan next published a trilogy, “The Kane
Chronicles,” based on Egyptian mythology, young readers also became interested
in Egyptian gods. In his latest series, “The Heroes of Olympus,” Riordan
combines Greek mythology and Roman mythology, setting off a new fascination
with Roman gods among his fans.
Riordan’s books have sold millions of copies and his fans
are legion. Because of that, we librarians have become adept at answering young
readers’ requests for books about mythology. So I was ready when a patron
recently asked me for suggestions for her son who wanted to read more about
mythology.
The go-to book for young readers looking for a treasury of
Greek mythology is “D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths” by Edgar and Ingri
D’Aulaire. There are many other good treasuries as well, but this one is the
classic volume, and remains quite popular with kids.
Kids interested in the connections between Greek and Roman
mythology also will enjoy a newer book, “Gifts From the Gods: Ancient Words
& Wisdom From Greek and Roman Mythology” written by Lise Lunge-Larsen and
illustrated by Gareth Hinds.
There have been surprisingly few books published on Egyptian
mythology for kids. Fortunately, author Donna Jo Napoli recently filled the
void with the spectacular “Treasury of Egyptian Mythology: Classic Stories of
Gods, Goddesses, Monsters & Mortals,” illustrated by Christina Balit.
Young readers who want a bit of a different twist on classic
mythology will enjoy two series written by Joan Holub: “Goddess Girls” and
“Heroes in Training.” In these books, Holub casts the gods and goddesses as
characters to whom kids can readily relate. Books in the “Goddess Girls” series
include “Athena the Wise,” “Pandora the Curious,” and “Artemis the Loyal;”
“Heroes in Training” titles include “Poseidon and the Sea of Fury,” “Hades and
the Helm of Darkness” and “Hyperion and the Great Balls of Fire.”
I have used lots of Greek myth books in units for students. This one is the best in my opinion. This was actually one of my daughter's favorite books for years. It is especially good for older elementary and junior high students.
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