Sirens and Sea Monsters

Tales from the Odyssey #3

by Mary Pope Osborne, Homer, Troy Howell (Illustrator)

Odysseus and his men have done what no other mortals have 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.

Genres: Mythology, Classics, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Chapter Books

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Mary Pope Osborne is an American author of children's books and audiobook narrator. She is best known as the author of the Magic Tree House series, which as of 2017 sold more than 134 million copies worldwide. Both the series and Osborne have won awards, including for Osborne's charitable efforts at promoting children's literacy. One of four children, Osborne moved around in her childhood before attending the University of North Carolina. Following college, Osborne traveled before moving to New York City. She somewhat spontaneously began to write, and her first book was published in 1982. She went on to write a variety of other children's and young adult books before starting the Magic Tree House series in 1992. Osborne's sister Natalie Pope Boyce has written several compendium books to the Magic Tree House series, sometimes with Osborne's husband Will Osborne.

Reviews

[Faisal Al-Abdulhadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

These retellings are so beautiful.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am in the middle of two other books, this is the book I finished first in the new year. Kaspar was really enjoying it and didn’t want to break another day. I forgot to ask his rating so I’ll have to update that later. Kaspar and I both think that next time Odysseus should look for smarter, more loyal men as companions instead of the bravest, strongest men who won’t obey his commands 😁
Kaspar’s rating 4 out of 5.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For teachers & parents:

The Percy Jackson series is HIGH INTEREST to 4th-5th graders right now, and some of my 8th graders are even into it. My son is a high 3 in ELA, but this couldn't be an independent read for him; I read it aloud. This is the case with two other families with whom I'm friends who have 4th grade daughters.

I'm using the Tales from the Odyssey series by Pope Osborne as independent reads (HIGH interest for my son) and they are just right for him as a 4th grader, but they're short like the Treehouse books, but full of gore and horror appropriate for 4th grade boys. With this series, he's building background knowledge to apply to all of the great things that happen in the Percy Jackson series. I do recommend that a 4th-5th grade elementary classroom have a Percy Jackson read-aloud with some Tales from the Odyssey independent read or lit groups, really. Those books are just right for teaching vocab in context skills. Everything is really simplified but there is ample challenging vocabulary in just the right places. I couldn't be happier with the way it's working out. I"m basically having ELA class at home with my son, and I'm seeing results.

[Corinne Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this installment, Odysses has to fight some nasty creatures in the Sea of Monsters: six headed dragons and crazy whirlpool monsters. The poor guy seriously has a rough go of it, it feels as though the gods just have got it in for him, stranded on an island full of animals they are NOT allowed to eat. Odysseus is truly a tragic guy but he tries to be a good leader, which I like. I am still appreciating Osborne's ability to make it accessible and yet still stay very close to the original story. My son is still a giant fan of this series, I think they are preparing him well to enjoy the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series in a couple years.

[Anoushka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it was MOSTLY a review of what had happened in the previous books, Sea monsters and Sirens just lift of the spirits of the hope of going home. Nobody knows whats going to happen to the protagonist next!

[Nevada Libert · Rating 4 out of 5]

great adventure in this book. i love the bravery, and how it is teied in with the greek gods.

[Ayacchi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sebelum melepas Odiseus dan awak kapalnya, Circe memberinya peringatan dan wejangan tentang bahaya yang akan dihadapinya. Tanpa memberitahu anak buahnya, Odiseus tetap menyemangati mereka seolah semuanya akan baik-baik saja.

Terkadang, memang ada hal-hal yang lebih baik tidak diucapkan. Terkadang, tidak mengetahui apa-apa lebih baik daripada mengetahuinya.

Dan sepertinya, manusia memang makhluk penuh nafsu. Sedang dewa-dewa tak henti-hentinya memberikan cobaan untuk menguji kesabaran dan keteguhan hati manusia. Saat para awak kapalnya menghiraukan peringatan Odiseus, yang tertinggal hanyalah penyesalan dan kesedihan.

[Oulan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childrens version, but since I mentor Mythology, I wanted to check rhem out. Short and sweet, from one who has read the Illiad and the Odessey more then once and are still among my favorite, these short tales give a quaint and easy to follow glimpse into the many magical stories found within these two classics. If you can't seem to dwelve into the fantastic but emmensly involved books, these are good alternatives and may just wet your curiosity enough to give a couple of the two greatest classics of all time a try.

[Ciera Legue · Rating 2 out of 5]

the third stretch of the greek soldiers journey home, they seem to have a death wish by pissing off all the gods and goddesses. the men clearly do not follow the warnings they are given very well and incur the wrath of the gods.

[Riley Touris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and fun retelling.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another quick and enjoyable read! Reading this series as fantasy is imaginative and entertaining 😁

[Veronica Herrera Serret · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the six-book series, Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne and Troy Howell. This story continues its dramatic, sad, and bloody saga. Poor Odysseus. I was a bit afraid that our girls would have nightmares, but they took the story in stride. The story was so disheartening, I was glad that it ended on a better note. Overall, this was an exciting and intense tale. We are looking forward to the next book!

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part three of Mary Pope Osborne's translation of Homer’s The Odyssey to a level that elementary age students can read and enjoy. The Odysseus's cursed journey to his homeland of Ithaca continues and the action grows more intense while his crew's numbers shrink; making this an exciting read that kids will love! A perfect read aloud for intermediate teachers wanting additional resources that help to expose their students to Greek Mythology.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying reading this series to my 3rd grader. He could easily read them himself, but I want to read it too. The short chapter book formula is perfect for reluctant readers. The simplified story of the Odyssey is sure to grab the interest of boys in particular. There are some rather gruesome and horrifying parts of the story, but older kids should be okay with it. The cover illustrations are fabulous, just wish there were some on the inside as well.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Odysseus journey toward his home Ithaca, he encounters the Gods and Goddesses of the Greek Mythology. This time he meets with Circe who advice Odysseus of the different dangers he will face. He will have to face Scylla, the six headed monster, and Charybdis, the deadly whirlpool. I enjoyed very much the way the author tells Odysseus journey and his struggle to arrived safe back home to his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Mary Pope Osborne's writing is clear and exciting. She breathes life into the epic story of Odysseus's adventures returning home from the Trojan War. Homer's Odyssey has been translated into English many times, but Osborne's rendition opens the Odyssey to the very young. This is a great addition to children's literature.

[Moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very suspenseful because Odysseus gets into a lot of trouble and it's pretty disgusting because there's a lot of blood and gore. I'm not saying that's wrong, but still. I was angry at his soldiers because they never listen to Odysseus.

[Louis Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how the Sirens sang their song and Odysseus was bound to a pole. I wonder how Scylla stuck her six bloodthirsty heads down from a mountain that looks like it goes up into sky?

[Brennetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Pope Osborne does a good job of taking the Odyssey and making it readable for children. The stories are still a little fierce for my girls that scare so easily so I will save them for a year or two.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some ideas as the other two books. Oydesses goes through a lot in is attempt to make it home. Eventually all his men are killed and he is alone and depressed. Easy read except content might be too violent for some.

[Luke Ewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddeseus and his men are punished for killing the Sun Gods calf. They are sent to go past a six headed monster and a whirlpool monster. They barely make it but the six headed monster snatches six of the best men. I liked the book.

[Hhastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read books on the Gods and Goddesses. It is also an easy version of Homer's Odyssey.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should read this before reading "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan.

[Connery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a great collection of stories written for the elementary level reader

[Aubrey]

Sirens and monsters oh my! After learning about the sirens and monsters in my English class this book really made it come alive!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had more action and the title really says it all.

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It's about Odysseus and he's trying to return and all his men die cause the gods get mad.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

04/09: So much fun! We have this in hard-copy and on CD.