Mount Olympus Basketball [Hardcover]

Kevin O'Malley (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

What happens when the mightiest of mortals take on the greatest of gods in an apocalyptic basketball showdown? Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and the rest of the Gods' squad have all the powers of the universe at their disposal-which makes for a deadly defense and an unstoppable offense. But those "pesky Mortals" are always causing trouble, and with hunky Hercules at the top of his game and Achilles' heel healing nicely after his surgery, the Mortals manage to stay alive until halftime. Who knows what mythological magic the Gods will have to conjure up to win this Hellenic heart stopper? Complete with toga-clad announcers and a halftime report on the wonders of ancient Greece, Kevin O'Malley's Mount Olympus Basketball makes learning about ancient Greek myths more exciting than March Madness.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 2-5-It's the Mortals versus the Greek Gods (and goddesses) in this madcap basketball showdown narrated with breathless abandon by two modern-day television sportscasters. Against heavy odds, the human heroes attempt to overcome the overwhelming powers of their opponents. Not surprisingly, after a tempestuous display by Zeus, the Gods take the contest with a score of 2,678,352 to 6. The book comes complete with over-the-top player introductions, savvy basketball terminology, a halftime look at ancient Greece, and more mythological references, asides, and bad puns than you can shake a caduceus at. The breezy, slightly chaotic, and intensely colored cartoon illustrations catch the speed of this fast-paced sport. Dressed in 20th-century uniforms, the players also wear accoutrements relating to their personas. For readers whose appetite for Greek mythology has been whetted, an author's note lists movies, books, and Web sites and suggests asking teachers and librarians for more information. O'Malley has found a new way to make mythology exciting in this wild contest that will find an audience among sports buffs and fans of Mount Olympus.
Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. A team of Greek gods head to the basketball court in this irreverent picture book that has the look of a comic. Their opponents are a team of famous "mortals"--Hercules, Theseus, and so on, and the announcers are a pair of cheesy commentators, complete with bad ties and sport coats worn over tunics. Predictably, the gods trounce the men, thanks to their unfair advantages: Poseidon creates a tidal wave; Zeus resorts to lightning bolts. The mortals fight back with strategies (a Trojan Horse, for example) drawn straight from literature. Inserted as the announcers' banter or in dialogue balloons, the brief text leaves much unexplained. Children still unfamiliar with Greek mythology may be more frustrated than amused by the references and in-jokes, but O'Malley's full-page drawings include hilarious caricatures and cartoon action that will probably get some laughs--even from kids who aren't clear about the specifics. A final page lists mythology Web and book resources. Teachers will want this to enliven mythology units. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788440
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788443
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,827,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Illustrator Kevin O'Malley has written and illustrated a number of books, including "Little Buggy Runs Away" and the Miss Malarkey books by Judy Finchler. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love it, December 21, 2011

By 

Dr. Michael Christie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mount Olympus Basketball (Paperback)

A huge favorite to read before bedtime. A really neat concept and well executed. As somebody with a classical history degree I really appreciate the accuracy and neat way to teach about the Greek Gods.