The Heroes Series by Geraldine McCaughrean

One of the greatest legends in the world is brought to life in ODYSSEUS, the first book of the four-volume HEROES series. Author Geraldine McCaughrean's taught prose brings a modern, thriller-like immediacy to the ancient story, while still retaining the characters, details and even some of the rhythms of the epic poem.Odysseus and his loyal troops narrowly escape being eaten by the Cyclops, shipwrecked by Scylla and Charybdis, and turned into pigs by the beautiful Circe... moreOne of the greatest legends in the world is brought to life in ODYSSEUS, the first book of the four-volume HEROES series. Author Geraldine McCaughrean's taught prose brings a modern, thriller-like immediacy to the ancient story, while still retaining the characters, details and even some of the rhythms of the epic poem.Odysseus and his loyal troops narrowly escape being eaten by the Cyclops, shipwrecked by Scylla and Charybdis, and turned into pigs by the beautiful Circe. The company must travel to Hell (or Hades) and back, dodge the constant pursuit of the vengeful Poseidon, and row across oceans in order to get back home where Odysseus' wife, Penelope fends off a gaggle of greedy suitors bent on taking Odysseus' throne.Filled with excitement and romance, ODYSSEUS makes a perfect sequel for any young readers interested in learning more about the Greek heroes portrayed in the summer 2004 blockbuster, TROY. less

This adventurous, dramatic, and at times funny retelling of the Perseus myth retains the spirit and structure of the original while offering a coming-of-age story sure to appeal to modern readers.Readers will follow Perseus on his quest to kill the hideous, snake-haired Medusa in an effort to save his mother from marriage to a less than noble king... moreThis adventurous, dramatic, and at times funny retelling of the Perseus myth retains the spirit and structure of the original while offering a coming-of-age story sure to appeal to modern readers.Readers will follow Perseus on his quest to kill the hideous, snake-haired Medusa in an effort to save his mother from marriage to a less than noble king. A power struggle among the gods both hinders and helps him along the way, and Perseus even manages to find true love when he rescues the breathtakingly beautiful Princess Andromeda from the horrors of a bloodthirsty sea monster.PERSEUS is the second of the four books in the HEROES series, which debuted in the Fall of 2004 with the release of ODYSSEUS. less

Humble country boy Theseus sets off to meet his father, the king of Athens, and claim his right as heir to the throne in this classic story. Along the way, his intelligence and strength help him surpass all obstacles, including battles with giants, trolls, and the vicious Crommyonian Boar. With each triumph, his pride grows, as does a dangerous sense of immortality. When he makes the mistake of killing the giant bull that was a favorite of the sea god Poseidon, he brings a plague to Athens... moreHumble country boy Theseus sets off to meet his father, the king of Athens, and claim his right as heir to the throne in this classic story. Along the way, his intelligence and strength help him surpass all obstacles, including battles with giants, trolls, and the vicious Crommyonian Boar. With each triumph, his pride grows, as does a dangerous sense of immortality. When he makes the mistake of killing the giant bull that was a favorite of the sea god Poseidon, he brings a plague to Athens. In order to appease the gods, Athens is forced to provide a gruesome meal for the Minotaur, the son of Poseidon’s bull and a mortal woman. Will Theseus be able to defeat the Minotaur and bring peace back to Athens?In this action-packed retelling, Theseus struggles to understand the timeless concepts of trust and true love, making this tale strikingly relevant for young people. less

Geraldine McCaughrean brings the same flair for action, suspense, and humor that characterizes all of the books in the acclaimed Heroes series to perhaps the most beloved and famous of all Greek myths, Hercules and his twelve labors. Readers learn about Hercules, the human with superhuman strength, born of a mortal and the king of gods, Zeus. When the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, discovers her husband's mortal son Hercules, she vows to destroy him... moreGeraldine McCaughrean brings the same flair for action, suspense, and humor that characterizes all of the books in the acclaimed Heroes series to perhaps the most beloved and famous of all Greek myths, Hercules and his twelve labors. Readers learn about Hercules, the human with superhuman strength, born of a mortal and the king of gods, Zeus. When the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus, discovers her husband's mortal son Hercules, she vows to destroy him. Thus begins Hercules’s legendary and epic journey in which he is forced to take on a series of seemingly impossible tasks. He battles an array of both amazing and terrifying beasts, including the mighty Cretan Bull, the many-headed Hydra, the ferocious Nemean Lion, and the three-headed guardian of hell, Cerberus. With the help of the gods Athena and Apollo, can Hercules triumph in the end?McCaughrean’s striking descriptions and taut prose draws even the most reluctant young readers into the fray. less