So, your 6th grade class is studying Greek mythology...

This blog is here to support you! 

Studying Greek mythology will be a large part of your semester, with cross-curricular projects in English and social studies.  You will choose a book about Greek mythology (either fiction or nonfiction) to read for English class and you will later try your hand at writing your own Greek myth.  In social studies, you will choose a specific Greek myth or character to feature in a creative project that you will share with the class.  Here are resources to aid you in your projects as well as fun books to enjoy!

Use your time in the school computer lab to begin exploring these resources.  Later, you can return to this blog at home or at school to find more resources or refresh your memory.  Search under 'Labels' to find categories of materials that fit your interests or needs.  You will find the following categories:

• Gods and Goddesses
• Creatures and Monsters
• Greek Life and Culture
• Individual Greek Myths Retold
• Collections of Greek Myths
• Popular Fiction
• Graphic Novels
• Percy Jackson

Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, wants you to do your best on your English and social studies projects.  Throughout the blog, Athena will share her wisdom about special features in resources or ways you can use materials to help you as you work on your projects.  Look for the owl symbol! 

Before you get started... Athena asks, 'Which Mythological Figure Are you?'
Take this Quiz  to find out!

Wonder and Blunders

Townsend, Michael.  Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders.  Dial Books, 2010.  160 pages.  Nonfiction.

Pandora could not resist opening Zeus’s box...  Arachne is turned into a spider after offending Athena...  Greek mythology is full of infamous and hilarious mistakes!                        

Get a taste for Townsend’s style through this book trailer:

Athena's Wisdom:  In addition to humor, Amazing Greek Myths of Wonder and Blunders offers the following nine famous myths: The Foolish King Midas and the Golden Touch, Pandora and the Box of Mystery, Pygmalion and His Rocky Relationship!!!, The Abduction of Persephone, Arachne Gets a Big Head!!!, Perseus vs. Two Nasty Kings and a Really Ugly Monster, Pyramus and Thisbe: An Icky Love Story, Pyramus and Thisbe: An Icky Love Story, The Short Flight of Icarus!, Hercules and the Ten Labors (Give or Take a Few).

How did they figure out all of this stuff about an Ancient culture?

Armentrout, David, and Patricia Armentrout. Treasures from Greece. Rourke Book Company, 2001. 48 pages. Nonfiction.

Have you ever wondered how archaeologists study the past?  With real photographs and clear explanations, mythological legends are explored in Greek history, architecture, and treasures.

Athena's Wisdom: If you are interested in archaeology, David and Patricia Armentrout recommend more books and websites at the back of the book, just before the index.

What would it be like to live in Ancient Greece?

Viling, Alexandra. The Ancient Greeks: Their Lives and Their World.  Gety Publications, 2010.  80 pages. Nonfiction.

Meet the Greeks!  Along with a map and a timeline, over a hundred color photos depict the art, myths, and people of ancient Greece.

There Were Monsters Everywhere in Ancient Greece!

Fanelli, Sara. Mythological Monsters of Ancient Greece. Candlewick Press, 2002. 32 pages. Nonfiction.

From the charming sirens and the shrieking harpies to the giant one-eyed Cyclops; quirky collage-style pictures and easy to read stories depict fourteen mythological monsters.  Find out how many of them were defeated and how many prevailed!

Athena's Wisdom:  Read Mythological Monsters of Ancient Greece to find your favorite monsters.  Then, use resources like the Encyclopedia Mythica to learn more details about the creatures.

 

Survivor: Ancient Greece. Could you live here?

“Ancient Greeks.”  BBC Primary History.  Website.

What was school like in ancient Greece?  How did the Olympic Games begin?  Explore the daily life of this historic culture, including growing up, the Olympic games, art, theater, and the role mythology played in their lives. 

 Athena's Wisdom:  For the sports lovers out there, this website is a great way to bring sports into a project on Greek Mythology, allowing you to explore the Ancient Games and find out what people had to do to compete. 

This resource will give you the background information you need to include sports in your project on Greek Mythology! 

Hades is at it again!

Clayton, Sally Pomme. Persephone. Illustrated by Virginia Lee. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2009. 28 pages. Nonfiction.

Wouldn't you know it, Hades is out ruining lives again! An innocent outing picking flowers turns into a fateful kidnapping that permanently affects Persephone, Demeter, and the entire earth...

Athena's Wisdom: Persephone includes large colorful illustrations like a picture book.  Experience the story of Persephone and Hades through pictures and words.

Looking for fame, fortune and adventure? Hercules is here!

Perseus Digital Library Project. “Hercules.” Tufts University Digital Collection. Website.

Hercules is often considered Greece’s greatest hero!  But what did he do to become so famous?  Tour maps, a biography, information about the Twelve Labors, and other stories about Hercules and his extreme adventures. 

Athena's Wisdom: Most of us have watched Disney's Hercules.  Is the movie accurate?  Find out for yourself by comparing the movie to information from the Perseus Digital Library Project.

Reference Websites

Lindemans, M.F., ed.  “Greek Mythology.”  Encyclopedia Mythica.  Website. 

A comprehensive - browseable and searchable - online encycopedia about Greek mythology.  Explore 627 articles about Greek gods and goddesses, ordinary (some extraordinary) mortals, and exotic locations!           

“Winged Sandals.”  University of Melbourne’s Centre for Classics and Archaeology.  Website.

"Hi, I’m Hermes, and I’ll be your guide through Olympus…”  Interact with ancient Greece by watching video stories about popular myths, learning how to create Greek crafts at home, asking the oracle to predict your future, and much, much more! 

Athena's Wisdom:  To use Encyclopedia Mythica, enter a term in the search box and find specific information or browse through Greek deities or mortals.  Encyclopedia Mythica includes an article to support any project.  Be careful, though—after you search, make sure you click on the Encyclopedia Mythica entry and not the Google ad.

If you are looking for a more interactive presentation of Greek mythology, try Winged Sandals.  The “Who’s Who” section includes over 100 entries on gods, mortals, and monsters.  Scroll through the lists of articles or enter a term in the “Who’s Who” search box.  When you are done researching, ask the Delphic Oracle a question about your future ... just for fun!

Reference Materials

 

D’Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire.  D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths.  Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 1992.  192 pages.  Nonfiction.

The classic children’s book about Greek mythology.  From the mighty titans to the celebrated pantheon of gods and goddesses, it is all here!

Kimmel, Eric A.  The McElderry Book of Greek Myths.  Illustrated by Pep Montserrat.  Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008.  112 pages.  Nonfiction.

Get drawn into the mythological action through the stories as well as the amazing illustrations.  From Prometheus to Perseus--learn about the enchanting legends of twelve famous Greek figures.

Athena's Wisdom:  Consult either of these books to read concise tales about popular Greek characters.  D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths is considered a classic text, covering the entire pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses, starting with Cronus and the titans.  The sections of the book are broken down by character and the text is accompanied by memorable illustrations.  Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire actually won a Caldecott for their illustrations in another book!

The McElderry Book of Greek Myths includes the following myths: Prometheus, Pandora’s Box, Persephone and Hades, Echo and Narcissus, Arachne, Pygmalion and Galatea, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Orpheus and Eurydice, Jason and the Golden Fleece, Daedalus and Icarus, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Perseus and Medusa.  Each myth is accompanied by bold illustrations.  The text in The McElderry Book of Greek Myths is slightly less challenging than the text in D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths.

Ancient Arcade

"Ancient Arcade." National Gallery of Art.  Website

Are you interested in the art and symbols of the gods?  Visit the National Gallery of Arts to match gods and goddesses with the symbols that represent them.... and check out some cool artwork at the same time!

Mythlopedia Oh My Gods!: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Gods of Mythology

Bryant, Megan E. Mythlopedia Oh My Gods!: A Look-It-Up Guide to the Gods of Mythology. Franklin Watts, 2009. 128 pages. Nonfiction.

What would Aphrodite write on her own blog?  How would Cassandra break up with Apollo via text message? This encyclopedia with a modern twist packages Greek mythology stories and facts with laugh-out-loud images and comments.

Athena's Wisdom:  Mythlopedia shows how you can share information about Greek mythology in a fun, creative way.  Talk to your social studies teacher if you would like to do something similar.

Odysseus in the Serpent Maze

Yolen, Jane, and Robert J. Harris. Odysseus in the Serpent Maze. Harper Collins, 2001. 256 pages. Fiction.

Young Odysseus meets his match when he rescues the heroic Spartan captive, Penelope.  Drawing on Greek Mythology, they set off together on fun-filled adventures battling pirates and facing a serpent with 100 heads in Crete's infamous labyrinth.



Athena's Wisdom:  This is book 1 in the 'Young Heroes' series - check out the sequels too!

The Shadow Thieves

Ursu, Anne. The Shadow Thieves. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. 432 pages. Fiction.

As it turns out, the Greek gods are alive and well, and Philonecron (born in the Underworld and determined to overthrow Hades) is behind a mysterious childhood illness.   He has been using children's shadows to build an army against Hades... and now it is up to Zee and Charlotte to stop him and set things right!


Athena's Wisdom:  This is book 1 of the 'Cronus Chronicles' series - check out the sequels too!
Learn more at the: Cronus Chronicles Website

The Lost Hero

Riordan, Rick. The Lost Hero. Hyperion Book, 2010. 576 pages. Fiction.

"Storm spirits" attack and capture a bus of "problem students"... but nothing is really as it seems.  Camp Half-Blood is back!

Athenas Wisdom: This is book 1 of 'Heroes of Olympus' series - check out the sequels too!

Learn more at: The Lost Hero Website

We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera

Orgel, Doris.  We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera. Illustrated by Marilee Heyer. DK Children, 1999. 144 pages. Fiction.

A unique perspective of what life was like for girls and women in ancient Greece is beautifully told through the voices of three special goddesses.  Each tells her own story--her childhood,escapades, rivalries, romances--and finally... how they come together and join forces.

Athena's Wisdom:  Even though We Goddesses is fiction, it can teach you a lot about Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera.  Also use this book if you want to learn more about women and girls in Ancient Greece.

The Lightning Thief

            Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. Disney-Hyperion, 2006. 400 pages. Fiction. 

The Greek Gods still rule, but now Mt. Olympus is on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building, and their offspring, demigods, live among human beings. Percy Jackson, who  thinks he's just another troubled 12-year-old, learns the truth when he vaporizes his math teacher and finds himself on an adventure to the Underworld!

Athena's Wisdom: This is book 1 of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians series' -check out the sequels too! 
Learn more at the:  Percy Jackson and the Olympians Website

Iris, Messenger

Deming, Sarah.  Iris, Messenger. Harcourt Children's Book, 2007.  224 pages. Fiction.

Middle school is a drag for Iris, that is, until she receives an incredible gift for her 12th birthday: Bulfinch's Mythology. She loves learning about Greek Mythology, and when she starts receiving messages and realizes that the gods are actually living nearby, well... things get a lot more exciting!

Goddesses of Yesterday

Cooney, Caroline B. Goddesses of Yesterday. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2002. 264 pages. Fiction.

An exciting adventure with an intricate plot, this is a story about how young Anaxandra finds herself in the middle of the mythic Trojan War.  Through kidnapping, deceit, friendship, and betrayal, she must show courage and persevere.

Pandora Gets Jealous

Hennesy, Carolyn. Pandora gets Jealous. Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, 2007. 272 pages. Fiction.

Modern day Pandy just wants to impress her classmates--but instead she finds herself in trouble with Zeus in this creative retelling of the Greek myth 'Pandora's Box'.  Evil let loose, a race to get it back in the box--what will Pandy do?


Athena's Wisdom: Learn more at the: Pandora Website
This is book 1 of 'Pandora series' - check out the sequels too!

Epic Journey, Anyone?

Homer and Tim Mucci.  All-Action Classics No. 3: The Odyssey.  Illustrated by Ben Caldwell and Emanuel Tenderini.  Sterling, 2010.  128 pages.  Fiction.

Odysseus may be history’s first action hero: battling monsters, resisting temptations, and preserving his honor.  This is a fast-paced rendition of the Greek Odyssey, retold in a modern day action-adventure graphic novel.

Landmann, Bimba.  The Incredible Voyage of Ulysses.  Getty Publications, 2010.  60 pages.  Nonfiction.

A bold graphic novel recounts Ulysses’ classic journey to return home ... and the unimaginable obstacles he encounters along the way.  How many trials and tribulations can one person take?

Athena's Wisdom:  Why am I recommending two graphic novels about about the same character?  Answer: Each book has a unique style.  The Odyssey--where Greek epic meets Marvel comic--is part of the All-Action Classics series which adapts well-known classics into graphic novels for the middle school audience.  (Check out the All-Action Classics website.)  Journey through this book if you are looking to learn about a Greek character in a fast-paced, action-packed manner.

Compared to Tim Mucci’s The Odyssey, The Incredible Voyage of Ulysses takes a bolder, more artistic approach.  Landmann’s oversized work also illuminates how Ulysses’ expedition relates to mythology by outlining other key figures.  If you are wondering why a book called The Incredible Voyage of Ulysses is about Odysseus, author Bimba Landmann explains: “This story comes down to us from ancient Greece, through the great poet Homer. … It tells of the adventures of Odysseus, better known as Ulysses.” 

Either of these books could inform a project about Odysseus.  Or, consider combining both resources to see two versions of the same story.

Percy Jackson, Graphic Novel Style

 

Riordan, Rick, and Robert Venditti.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel.  Illustrated by Attila Futaki and Jose Villarrubia.  Hyperion Book, 2010.  128 pages.  Fiction.

Percy Jackson, just like in the original series, still needs to travel to the Underworld to retrieve the lightning bolt.  This time, though, he does it comic book style in eye-popping pictures and colorful action.

Athena's Wisdom:  Do you love Percy Jackson and wish you could witness his journey in a new style?  Or, do you wish you could read The Lightening Thief but are not looking forward to making your way through 400 pages of text?  Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti’s graphic novel version of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief is a great option for you!  Experience Percy Jackson’s adventure through action-packed illustrations and dialogue.

Zeus: An Olympian

O’Connor, George.  Zeus: King of the Gods.  First Second, 2010.  80 pages.  Fiction.

Greek Mythology packs a punch and comes to life in this graphic novel. Young Zeus rallies an army and overthrows his father, Kronos, to become king of the gods.

Athena's Wisdom:  Zeus: King of the Gods is the first graphic novel in George O’Connor’s Olympians series.  O’Connor explains the importance of the Greek myths: “The stories of Zeus and his family are more than just entertaining yarns about giants who slice open the sky and monsters so fearsome their gaze can turn one to stone. They were, and are, an explanation of the world that that ancient culture's people saw around them: a lightning storm could only be the King of Gods hurling his thunderbolt; a volcano could only be the escaped vapors of an entombed Titan.”  Do not underestimate the graphic novel format of the Olympians series; George O’Connor’s deep respect for Greek mythology helped him depict detailed, instructive tales.  Also, consult the back section of Zeus: King of the Gods to see Zeus’s family tree and recommendations for further reading.

You can also dive into George O’Connor’s world of the Olympians through his website.  Understand the Pantheon and learn more about the gods through O’Connor’s “Olympians Family Tree.”  Or, complete one of three Greek Mad Libs or see if you can match the Gods with their symbols.  Finally, help O’Connor create a graphic novel by either adding text or images to his stories about Zeus or Athena.