Odysseus in the Serpent Maze

A thirteen year old Odysseus, feeling far from heroic and desperate to prove himself, accidentally sets off an international incident when he and his friends encounter pirates. The journey takes them to the island of Crete where they must navigate a dangerous serpent maze. Along the way, Odysseus meets a young Penelope and Helen, grounding the epic Trojan War cycle in a coming of age adventure. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book handles danger and mythological peril in a secular, adventure focused manner. There is mild violence consistent with Greek myths (battles with pirates and monsters), but the resolution is hopeful and focuses on the power of the mind over brute force. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with Odysseus feeling inadequate and 'small.' It builds through high stakes tension as he is forced into leadership, ending on a triumphant note of self discovery where he realizes his 'cunning' is his greatest weapon. IDEAL READER: A 9 to 11 year old who loves Rick Riordan but wants a story that feels more like a classic historical adventure. It is especially suited for the 'thinker' child who feels they don't fit the traditional mold of an athlete or leader. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child retreating from a challenge because they don't think they are 'strong' enough or 'good' enough compared to others. PARENT PREP: The book is safe for cold reading, though parents might want to brush up on the basics of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur to discuss how Yolen subverts those myths. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (age 8 or 9) will enjoy the fast paced action and the 'gross' factor of monsters. Older readers (11 and 12) will better appreciate the subtle character dynamics and the foreshadowing of Odysseus and Penelope's future relationship. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many retellings that focus on the monsters, Yolen focuses on the interior life of a boy becoming a legend.