The Wanderings of Odysseus

The Wanderings of Odysseus:

The Story of the Odyssey

By Rosemary Sutcliff

Published by Laurel Leaf (2005)

Reading Level: Ages 9-12 years

Pages: 134

Genre: Myth

Summary: Odysseus leaves the conquest of Troy to go home. On the way home they blind the son of Poseidon. Poseidon is angry and stops Odysseus from getting home. They try make it back again with Circe's help, but in the process Odysseus loses all his men and he ends up on Calypso's Island. He is there until Athene intercedes on his behalf and ensures that he makes it home. Odysseus dresses as a beggar and finds a servant still loyal to him and reunites with his son. Penelope creates a contest for those that want to marry her. Odysseus wins and slays all the suitors. The next day he reunites with his wife. He sees his father, then because Athene intervenes Odysseus makes peace with the suitors' families.

My Reaction: I enjoyed this book, because I just finished reading the Percy Jackson series and I liked reading stories about the gods and comparing them to those books. It did drag though. There were several dry, slow spots that were hard to read past.

Potential Problems: This book contains violence

Recommendations: I would recommend this to children that enjoy the Percy Jackson series.