Hello.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for alternative novels
for a middle school student who was not allowed to read The Lightning
Thief by Rick Riordan.
The parent was concerned about the fantasy novel's depiction of
"half-bloods" wandering around in contemporary society. I asked for
alternatives that also dealt with mythology, preferably Greek, that are
not set in modern times.
The teacher and I narrowed the list to a few choices and presented to
the parent to allow her to choose which one she was most comfortable.
Below you can find the responses that I received.
Thanks again to all who offered suggestions!
Nicole Ball
Media Specialist
Hudsonville Middle Schools
Hudsonville, MI
nball@hudsonville.k12.mi.us
===================================================================
One idea: Geraldine McCaughrean has authored a series "Heroes" that
includes the retelling of classic myths - Odysseus, Perseus, ??, ?? -
I'm in 2 schools this year & they're in the collection at my "other
school" or I'd look them up!! They're quite popular in our middle
school.
Kirsten Almo, Media Specialist
Grand Ledge Public Schools
Beagle & Hayes Middle Schools
517-627-5080
******************************
Does it have to be Greek mythology? How about Norse, ala Nancy Farmer's
SEA OF TROLLS?
Joel
shoemaker.joel@iccsd.k12.ia.us
******************************
The Goddess of Yesterday should do fine as a substitute. It was one of
the nominees for the Nutmeg award in 2002. Strong female character.
Mary Tichey-Staack, LMS
Branchville Elementary
Ridgefield, CT
******************************
Jane Yolen has a series of mythology novels
Jason and the Gorgon's blood
Atalanta and the Arcadian beast
Hippolyta and the curse of the Amazons
Hope this Helps
Dana Hutchins
Lee High School
Librarian
******************************
How about "Lost in the Labyrinth" by Patrice Kindl?
Michele Shumow
Librarian
Viewpoint School
Calabasas, CA
mshumow@viewpoint.org
******************************
I can't vouch for all of these as far as content, but otherwise they
fit
your request.
Quicksilver by Stephanie Spinner
Lost in the Labyrinth by by Patrice Kindl
Aphrodite's Blessing by Clemence McLaren
Troy by Adele Geras
Waiting for Odysseus by Clemence McLaren
Inside the Walls of Troy by Clemence McLaren
Daughter of Troy by Sarah B. Franklin
Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis
The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli
Good luck!
Miranda Hawkins
Senior Reference Asst - YA Services
Lake Arlington Branch Library
Arlington, TX
hawkinsm@ci.arlington.tx.us
*********************************
Jane Yolen has two books: Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast and Jason and
the Gorgon's Blood which you might consider.
Chester A. Koza, Librarian
Fremont Middle School
540 Johnson Rd
Fremont, NE 68025-6439
USA
*******************************
Look carefully at Quiver before you suggest it. My recollection is that
there is some content in there that may upset this parent.
Sue Giffard
Ethical Culture School
New York, NY
*******************************
What about Yolen's Young Heroes series? Odysseus in the Serpent's maze
is on. She also has one with Hipppolyta, Atalanta and Jason
Heidi Lewis
School Library Media Specialist
Guinyard-Butler Middle School
779 Allen Street
Barnwell, SC 29812
803-541-1382
803-541-1306 - fax
(803) 541-1382
(803) 541-1306 - fax
******************************
What about one of the Young Heroes series by Jane Yolen and Robert
Harris?
Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast
Odysseus in the Serpent Maze
Jason and the Gorgon's Blood
Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons
Kendra Patterson
Librarian
Andrews Middle School
Andrews, Texas
kpatterson@andrews.esc18.net <mailto:kpatterson@andrews.esc18.net>
******************************
Quicksilver, also by Spinner, is quite good. It tells the story of few
of
the basic myths from the point of view of Hermes who has, it turns out,
a
great literary voice.
Hope this helps.
Susan Guerrant
Librarian-Henley Middle School
******************************
My middle school students in Northern Nevada have LOVED the Rick
Riordan
books. A student just this morning was asking me if I'd gotten the 3rd
book
yet! It is instructive to hear others experience with their community.
Here's a couple alternatives to Lightning Thief, the first really seems
like
a good bet.(Both are from the Young Heroes series)
Odysseus in the serpent maze by Jane Yolen
13 yo Odysseus, who longs to be a hero, has many opportunities to
prove
himself during an adventure which involves pirates and satyrs, a trip
to
Crete's Labyrinth, and the two youg girls, Penelope and Helen, who play
a
mojor role in his future life.
Hippolyta and the curse of of the Amazons by Jane Yolen
13 yo Hippolyta, a princess of the Amazons, fights to save her people
from
destruction when her mother the queen refuses to sacrifice her
second-born
male child.
Good luck and let us know what you all decide.
Martha Betcher
Librarian
Carson Valley Middle School
Gardnerville, NV
mbetcher@dcsd.k12.nv.us
*******************************
I suggest Aphrodite's Blessings by Clemence McLaren, and Into the
Labyrinth by Patrice Kindl. Spinner also has another book called
Quicksilver, but I don't think it is quite as good as Quiver, which I
loved!
Hope this helps. Feel free to check out my website for other
suggestions and a video booktalk of mythology books.
http://www.bookwink.com
--
Sonja Cole
Bookwink.com, video booktalks for kids
sonja@bookwink.com
http://www.bookwink.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home