Tales from the Odyssey: Sirens and Sea Monsters - Book #3 [Paperback]

Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Troy Howell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Tales from the Odyssey

Odysseus and his men have done what no other mortals have done: returned alive from the terrifying Land of the Dead. Armed with warnings and advice from the ghosts of the prophet Tiresias, Odysseus is determined to finally sail home to Ithaca. But the enchantress Circe tells him that the Greeks will face even more horrors on their journey, including an encounter with Scylla, the six-headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool. Who will survive these terrors-and how? In this third of six books based on episodes from Homer's Odyssey, Mary Pope Osborne continues the exciting adventures of one of the greatest heroes of all time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-9-Closely following Book 12 of the Odyssey, Osborne relates the tale of Odysseus and his men as they travel back from the Land of the Dead to Circe's Island. Circe warns Odysseus of dangers ahead; he and his men soldier on to the seas of the monster Scylla, where six men are viciously eaten, as Circe had foretold. Heeding her words, Odysseus tries to talk his men out of stopping at Helios's island, but they insist, defying the gods by eating Helios's cattle, resulting in their deaths. Odysseus is left alone, floating through the seas, until he lands on the shores of Calypso's island. Osborne presents a readable version of the old story, retaining Homeric refrains and using the descriptive language found in better translations. The story is not modernized, yet will appeal to today's readers. The book includes a helpful map, and end matter such as a pronunciation guide, a list of the major gods and goddesses, sources, and information about Homer and his works. Young readers will find the adventures of Odysseus intriguing, and reluctant middle- to high-school readers could gain access to the Odyssey through this series.
Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. The third volume in the Tales from the Odyssey series begins with Circe's warnings to Odysseus about the trials that are to come. He and his men pass the Sirens' island, narrowly escape the whirlpool of Charybdis, suffer a few casualties from the six-headed monster, and sail to the island where the sun god keeps his cattle. Despite warnings and commands, his men roast the cattle and a dire fate befalls them. Osborne pares down the story to its essential elements, offering children the adventures of Odysseus with a touch of imagery reminiscent of Homer. The result is a respectful though short retelling in clear, simple language complemented by large type and generous spacing, which gives the pages an inviting look. The book ends with a brief discussion of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses, pronunciation guides, and a note on Osborne's sources. An especially good choice for readers finished with the author's Magic Tree House books and ready for a taste of the classics. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786809302
• ISBN-13: 978-0786809301
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #744,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I'm one of those very lucky people who absolutely loves what they do for a living. There is no career better suited to my eccentricities, strengths, and passions than that of a children's book author."--Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the popular Magic Tree House series. She works with her husband Will and her sister Natalie on the nonfiction companion series, Magic Tree House Research Guides. Many of her books have been named to best-books lists.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 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 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Odyssey: Sirens and Sea Monsters - Book #3 (Paperback)

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in the series!, July 3, 2004

By 

Dena Douglas (Arvada, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the Odyssey: Sirens and Sea Monsters - Book #3 (Hardcover)

We read all these books in the series together as a family. This one was our favorite. My boys couldn't wait for bedtime so they could hear what would happen next in the story. These books offer enough action to keep one's interest, young and old. I recommend all the books in the series. We can't wait for #6!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Osborne is amazing!, August 26, 2009

By 

Suz (Fort Worth, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Odyssey: Sirens and Sea Monsters - Book #3 (Hardcover)

I never imagined The Odyssey could be so beautifully retold for children. Osborne manages to stick faithfully to the story (leaving out, of course, the naughty bits). Odysseus's ordeal comes vibrantly to life under Osborne's masterful pen. I, my 10 year old daughter, and my 7 year old son all loved this series. As a homeschooling mom striving to give my kids a liberal arts education, I get such a glow of satisfaction when I hear them make reference to Odysseus, Penelope, Telemachus, and Polyphemus months after we put the book down. I even recommended this series of 6 books to my husband, who has never read The Odyssey, as a way to get an excellent "Cliff's Notes" version of the classic story in one entertaining evening. Can't recommend highly enough!