Greek Myths: Three Heroic Tales

Hades steals the beautiful Persephone to be his bride, but her mother, Demeter, is so heartbroken she withholds all her gifts to the earth of growing things. Zeus demands Persephone’s return, but only if she hasn’t eaten any food in Hades. But Persephone had eaten six seeds from a pomegranate, so a compromise is reached allowing her to live six months above ground, saving the earth. The story of Theseus and the Minotaur is one young people will especially relate to, with a young man who seems to be a hero, then turns out not to be. Justice in the world of the Greek gods is swift and painful. The third tale, that of Orpheus and the love of his life, Eurydice, is simply a lovely story that will enthrall readers.

Authors Hugh Lupton and Daniel Morden retell these ancient stories in beautiful, lyrical language, putting their own stamp on them with unusual details. They include back-matter for each to familiarize young readers with the stories’ origins. Illustrator Carole Henaff completes the stories with art that hearkens back to ancient Greece, reminiscent of art found on vases and amphoras of that period. Middle graders will love this.