About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a long-term challenge and needs to see that perseverance is a marathon, not a sprint. This classic retelling offers a powerful blueprint for resilience, showing how a hero navigates setbacks, homesickness, and the consequences of his own pride while trying to reunite with his family. It is a perfect bridge for children moving from simple fairy tales into more complex, high-stakes adventure. Mcaughrean's version maintains the epic scope of Homer's original poem while making the language accessible for middle-grade readers. The story explores deep emotional themes of loyalty, the bond between father and son, and the weight of responsibility. Parents will appreciate how it introduces foundational Western mythology through a narrative that emphasizes wit and intelligence over brute force, though it does include the mythological violence and peril inherent to the source material.
