gandpsmommy Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I'm thinking about our literature studies selections for this year. Right now I'm considering D'Aulaire's Book of Norse Myths, a more in-depth study of the Old Testament, and The Odyssey. Which version do you like for the third to fifth grade age range? Also, if you have any other suggestions for literature, I would welcome them! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenmamato3 Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeetime Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I don't know yet- but I just ordered Rosemary Sutcliffe's The Wanderings of Odysseus and Black Ships Before Troy for my 3rd grader. I am thinking that the illustrations will be extremely helpful in getting the story to come alive to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 For us it would be a toss-up between Sutcliff and Padraic Colum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 For us it would be a toss-up between Sutcliff and Padraic Colum. :iagree: My 3rd grader was more into Sutcliffe (the pictures are beautiful and the writing less cumbersome). My ds (4th grade) loved Sutcliffe last year but LOVED Padraic Colum this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Rosemary Sutcliffe's version with gorgeous Alan Lee illustrations! My dd loved this. She also really liked the Mary Pope Osborne 6-book series of The Odyssey. She read these on her own. They're much better than MPO's "Magic Tree House" books, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Rosemary Sutcliffe's version with gorgeous Alan Lee illustrations! My dd loved this. I wholeheartedly agree. My dd and I both loved this! She also really liked the Mary Pope Osborne 6-book series of The Odyssey. She read these on her own. They're much better than MPO's "Magic Tree House" books, too. Thanks for mentioning these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amandamc0017 Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 We didn't have much time so we went with the Mary Pope Osborne version and listened to them on CD. Our library carries these. The kids and I both enjoyed them and we were able to spend time reading through a couple books of Greek myths at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Our favorite is the Geraldine McCaughrean version: Puffin paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Puffin-Classics-Geraldine-McCaughrean/dp/0140383093/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245511666&sr=1-2 Illustrated hardcover: http://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-Geraldine-McCaughrean/dp/0192741306/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245512097&sr=1-3 Some reviews from Amazon: 5.0 out of 5 stars, January 15, 2001By elisa carlson (Seattle, WA USA) Homer restored to his rightful place as serious competition for Pokemon, dinosaurs, ghost stories, Robin Hood, and piratical history! I am no classical scholar, as is obvious from that last sentence, but I am a mom who reads alot to her children and I've a working understanding of Homer's poetic tale, The Odyssey. Ms. McCaughrean's version was gripping! We had a very hard time putting it down the first time, and on our second read through we just kept going until the end! This book enthralled a 7 and a 4, while remaining as true to the text as I've seen yet in a children's version (slight editing may be required for the very squeamish or quite young.) My children acted the tale out on their own when we were through and held impromptu literary discussions for days afterwards. Like Bible stories, Greek myths have been done a thousand times over for children. Before you set off to wade through to find the diamonds, take my word for it that this is definitely one of them. Also, her collection of classic mythical stories is recommended although, dare I say it, this is even better than that. 4.0 out of 5 stars All the Hits, December 2, 2004 By Michael S. Mahoney "Gruffybear" (Goshen, Kentucky, USA) For young readers not yet ready to tackle Homer in translation this prose version is a superb introduction to the epic's most stirring episodes. McCaughrean writes in an alliterative prose which honors the poetry of the original. She pumps new life into the tangle with the Cyclops, the lure of the Sirens, and the final smackdown on Ithaca when a weathered Odysseus teaches the loutish suitors a thing or two. Seventh graders here have really warmed to this commendable retelling. Our ancient history curriuculum has certainly benefitted from its inclusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Padraic Colum ! ! ! Some of the illustrations in the Sutcliff versions are too intense, for some young children. (obviously not for all) Mostly, though, we were so impressed by the Colum's text. (and we are Sutcliff fans, big time, for the "Britain" books) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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