Greek Mythology text set

 My eighth grader will soon be reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus for literature class. So he could understand the allusion in the title, he read the myth about Prometheus in two of these books. Although I only read the Prometheus retellings in these books, I wanted to record the titles so I can borrow them again when we study ancient history. 

-Borrowed from the library.

**Full of interesting facts & history -will appeal to reluctant readers.

A classic!

Yu the Great by Paul D. Storrie illustrated by Sandy Carruthers

Graphic Universe
Conquering the Flood
In graphic format, Mr. Storrie shares the legend of Yu who frees China from continuous floods.
Perfect reluctant readers.

Explore Norse Myths! by Anita Yasuda illustrated by Bryan Stone

With 25 Great Projects
An excellent resource when studying about the Norsemen/Vikings.
We made the flat bread recipe and enjoyed the Norse Mad Libs!
Guided Reading Level: W
-Borrowed from the library.

Gods and Thunder retold by Carl Bowen, Michael Dahl, Louise Simonson art by Eduardo Garcia, Tod Smith, Rex Lokus*

A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths
When I brought home a stack of Viking books from the library, my eleven year old immediately snatched this graphic novel for his personal reading.  He read it in two days and enjoyed it immensely.
I like how the authors have included a glossary which defines all the gods/goddesses/monsters and how to pronounce their names!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott*

Award winner- Caldecott Honor Book

The people of Ghana love sharing the story about Kwaku Anansi the spider and his six sons.  Each son has a special gift and utilizes his gift to save his father when he is in danger.

A very fun, creative story!

Both of my boys read this book to themselves during our study of Ancient Africa.

It reminds me of The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop (text to text connections)-we own this book plus The Seven Chinese Brothers.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ancient Egypt-Tales of Gods and Pharaohs by Marcia Williams*

I read a story aloud from this book each night to my boys and they really looked forward to it.
Ms. Williams retells many Egyptian myths and also historical events concerning Egypt in comic strip style.  A cat with nine lives inserts his opinion and also interesting facts about Ancient Egypt at the bottom and sides of the main text.
Ms. Williams has retold many classic stories including Shakespeare plays which I plan to utilize when we study that time era.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Isis and Osiris by Cari Meister illustrated by Francesca D'Ottavi

In a style that engages elementary readers, Ms. Meister retells the story of Isis and Osiris.  Isis and Osiris rule Egypt with integrity and wisdom. Set, their brother, however, is envious and develops an evil scheme to overthrow Osiris.
From this story Egyptians began mummifying their pharaohs.
The pictures may be a bit scary for more sensitive readers.
Very exciting and well presented.
I  liked the pronunciation of the various gods in the beginning of the book.
-Borrowed from the library.

In Search of a Homeland The Story of Aeneid by Penelope Lively illustrated by Ian Andrew

In Latin we memorized a line from the Aeneid so I researched the story and found this young adult version.

The library has it labeled as "young adult" aka "teen" for good reason-

Warning: graphic violence at times; Dido and Aeneas in a cave- "heavens were witness to their union, which Dido would call a marriage"-"whiled the winter away in each other's arms"; Dido commits suicide and it shows an illustration of her with a sword through her chest, blood flowing down her torso

After the Greeks trick and destroy Troy, Aeneas and the Trojan survivors set out to find a new homeland. The travelers encounter many obstacles, which the gods cause as they protect their assigned people. 
Very exciting story and well written. 
I had difficulty keep all of the characters straight in my mind (many gods/goddesses and Trojan/Latin characters).  Someone who is very familiar with all of the myths, however, may not find this aspect challenging.

-Borrowed from the library.

Myths of the World-The Ancient Mesopotamians by Virginia Schomp*

As we studied the Mesopotamians, we read a myth from their culture each day.  The myths included: The Origins of the World and the Gods; The Origins of Humanity; The Great Flood; Adapa and the South Wind; Inanna Descends to the Underworld; and  The Epic of Gilgamesh.
Part 1 includes information about the Mesopotamians.  We only read Part 2 (the myths).
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via interlibrary loan (not available in my county).

Gilgamesh the Hero by Geraldine McCaughrean illustrated by David Parkins

Next week we will be reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories in the world.  I was going to have my ten year old son read this specific book independently but after reading the first part, I am not going to share it with him.
To lure Enkidu, a beast, Gilgamesh advises a hunter to bring a naked, beautiful woman to the woods where Enkidu lives.   He brings Hatti, a harlot (although in this story she calls herself a "dancing girl") and when Enkidu sees and smells her, he is aroused (the author calls it "craving").  Hatti does tame him with her words and kisses.  An illustration depicting a naked Hatti is included (the reader sees her bare back and her butt cheeks).  Because of these inclusions, I do not feel comfortable having my fifth grader read this book.
Instead he will be reading three picture books about Gilgamesh, each one depicting a different tablet/part of the epic poem.
-Borrowed from the library.

Literature Pockets Greeks and Romans Myths by Jill Norris

Fun activities to expand learning about the myths.
Myths featured: Phaeton and the Sun Chariot, Pandora's Jar, Perseus and the Gorgons, Arachne and the Weaving Contest, The Race for Atalanta, Persephone and the Seasons, Bellerophon and Pegasus, Echo and Narcissus
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Hummingbird King written and adapted by Argentina Palacios illustrated by Felipe Davalos*

A Guatemalan Legend
An older chief and his wife had no son to succeed him so the chief's younger brother, Chiruma, was to succeed him.  The chief's wife, however, really wanted a son so she prayed earnestly to the gods for a son.  The gods answered her prayer and gave her an son.  Omens, like being born on the 13th day of a month and a hummingbird perched outside his room, revealed that this son would be extraordinary.  At his naming ceremony the high priest gave them a red feather from the perching hummingbird.  As long as he carried the feather with him, he would be protected.  They named him Kukul, meaning "beautiful feather".
Of course, Kukul's uncle was not pleased that he no longer had the chance to be king so he set out to sabotage the boy and in the end, seemingly succeeds.
Warning: Violence (spear with blood oozing out of Kukul)
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.