Tales from the Odyssey, Part 2 [Paperback]

Mary Pope Osborne (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 4, 2010 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 790L (What's this?)

After twenty years of fighting monsters, angering gods and goddesses, and surviving against the odds, Odysseus is more desperate than ever to return to his family. But first he will have to explore yet another strange land. And when he finally does return home, he will have yet more dangerous enemies to face.

This is the exciting conclusion to the series by best-selling author Mary Pope Osborne, retelling Homer’s Odyssey, one of the most thrilling adventure stories of all time.

 This volume includes:

Book Four: The Gray-Eyed Goddess
Book Five: Return to Ithaca
Book Six: The Final Battle

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Pope Osborne (www.marypopeosborne.com) is the author of the best-selling series The Magic Tree House. She has also written many acclaimed retellings of myths and folktales and works of historical fiction.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Part 2 includes:

Book Four:

The Gray-Eyed Goddess

Book Five:

Return to Ithaca

Book Six:

The Final Battle

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children; 1st edition (May 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423126106
• ISBN-13: 978-1423126102
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Greek & Roman

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are having trouble buying a complete set for a reasonable price, please read this review April 29, 2010

By amazonbuyer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have spent weeks trying to purchase a complete set of Osborne's rendition of the Odyssey. I do not need to reiterate what a wonderful job she did in making this appropriate for younger children without ruining the true spirit of the story. You can find that in the many reviews you will find for each book.

What I am trying to do is save others from spending two weeks trying to find out how they can purchase this set without having to pay $125 for a new paperback copy of one book (The Land of the Dead). There are other books in this series that are also way too expensive. I didn't think I needed to break the bank for books that originally sold for $5.99.

So here's the scoop:

The Osborne rendition of the Odyssey was originally sold in separate books as follows:
Book One: One Eyed Giant
Book Two: Land of the Dead
Book Three: Sirens and Sea Monsters
Book Four: Gray Eyed Goddess
Book Five: Return to Ithica
Book Six: Final Battle

I was going crazy trying to find Book Two (Land of the Dead), Book Three (Sirens and Sea Monsters), and Book Six (Final Battle) for reasonable prices.

So, after much research, I discovered the following:

In 2010 the publisher, Hyperion, combined books 1-3 (now called "Tales from the Odyssey, Part One") and 4-6 (now called "Tales from the Odyssey, Part Two").

"Tales from the Odyssey, Part One": ISBN 978-1423128649 $5.99
"Tales from the Odyssey, Part Two": ISBN 978-1423126102 $5.99

I had no problem finding "Part One" on Amazon, but "Part Two" was another story. If you type in the isbn it will take you to their listing but it does not have a picture. It says "Part Two" is in stock but will take up to 2 weeks to get to you.... Due to past experience, I didn't want to order "Part Two", wait the two weeks and end up with nothing or another "Part One". If you want to experiment & find out if Amazon can actually get the correct book, please do so and let us know how it works for you.

Here is how I got my hand on both books at the reasonable price of $5.99 each. I ordered "Part One" from Amazon and then went to their competitor for "Part Two". The competitor does not have "Part Two" available online either, but you can type in the ISBN to see if any of their physical bookstores have copies available on the shelves. A few bookstores in our area had the book. I called and asked them to physically get the book while I was on the phone & please hold it for me. They happily did this for me and told me they were willing to hold it for up to three days.

The publisher (Hyperion) is a division of Disney Book Group. Disney is well know for having strange practices with regard to making their old classic movies available. I didn't know this practice applied to recently published and "in demand" book series. Maybe that's not the case. The copies I purchased are "trade copies". Maybe they're testing the market & the mass market publication will soon be released. I really don't know how the book publishing process works so this is just surmising. Maybe someone versed in the book publishing process can enlighten us. I would love that!

Anyway, if you really want a copy of Osborne's "Odyssey", I hope this helps you find it without your having to spend hours on the computer or running from bookstore to bookstore.

Cheers!

Edited to add this important note:

I listed my review for "Tales from the Odyssey, Part One" and when I went to list my review on "Tales from the Odyssey, Part Two" I received a note saying, "Ooops, you are not allowed to review the same book twice". This tells me that within the Amazon system "Part One" and "Part Two" of these books are considered the same book. This is a huge "caution", in that if you order "Part One" and "Part Two" from Amazon, you will probably get two of the same book. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My second-grader loves these! March 22, 2011

By jessbcuz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My son, a second-grader, loves action. And he loves the two Tales from the Odyssey books by Mary Pope Osborne. While I feel a little thrilled as a literary-minded parent that he is getting an introduction to the classic tales of the Odyssey, he reads them because of the action. And that is fine by me.

Both of the books in the series seem to follow the tales of the Odyssey pretty closely, but Osborne has rewritten it in an accessible format. The writing is straight-forward and clear. Each section is a good length for an independent reader. I'd guess the reading level is appropriate for anywhere from a first-grader to a fourth grader, depending on their reading level and/or interest in Greek myths. There are no pictures in these volumes (except for very small chapter heading illustrations). It is important to note that the font is larger than typical chapter books, making these 200 page books a quicker read than other 200 page books--this can be quite a confidence builder for a struggling or emerging reader.

I haven't read them myself (besides the odd peek over his shoulder), but I can report that my son, who loves comics and has little interest in many chapter books, found these books hard to put down. And whether he is reading them as an introduction to tales that will resurface in many other books, or just for the action, I'm glad to have found a book that he enjoys.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best adaption for young children June 19, 2013

By meredith kopald M Kopald

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

By far the most clear retelling I've found. Because the story is coherent, children can imagine the characters without pictures, understand the profound predicament of Odysseus, and follow his journey with interest. The pair of books, Parts 1 and 2, are a perfect introduction to the Odyssey for children 6 to 10. When I read the books to my grandchildren, they ask questions appropriate to their age and understanding: "But why is he having such a hard time getting home?"

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book April 8, 2013

By Jackson Keyes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

the book was interesting and COOL but for people who teach history and a instant classic book to read :)

5.0 out of 5 stars My children loved it! March 20, 2013

By mamapenguin

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

We read both parts one and two in this series as part of our homeschool curriculum this year. My kids love them! Mary Pope Osborne has done a fantastic job with this edition of this well known story. Highly recommend!

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You! February 18, 2013

By lannyf

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This two book series was amazing! I was able to use it to teach my resource students the entire story of the Odyssey, whereas the general education students were only able to read bits and pieces because of the "epic" length of the poem. I taught the poem to my resource English class, and they thoroughly enjoyed it! We projected the text onto our whiteboard, and we were able to read the story together. They were able to enjoy this far more than trying to read the myriad translations available out there that try to remain true to the original text. This took the essence ot the text, and broke it down to understandable pieces that were useful and entertaining! Thank you!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for boys. February 11, 2013

By M. Whalen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

My 5 and 7 year olds love this book. Enough to keep them engaged and excited and yet not so much to lose their attention.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good! January 27, 2013

By Arturo Jallath

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It was the perfect present for my son. But please don't ask me to leave reviews anymore I don't have time to do it.