Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell.
Mary Pope Osborne
Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Mary Pope Osborne's Tales from the Odyssey
by Mary Pope Osborne
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Odysseus isn't just any hero—he's a warrior who has faced gods, monsters, and magic on his journey home. After years away, he returns to Ithaca where danger lurks in every shadow, and a daring plan for revenge is about to unfold. This is the moment where legends come alive and the fate of a family hangs in the balance.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade retelling of Homer's Odyssey follows Odysseus as he returns home after years of challenges, reuniting with his family amid threats from dangerous suitors. The story contains themes of bravery, family loyalty, and justice, appropriate for readers ages 9-12, with mild peril and fantasy elements. Parents should note the presence of conflict and some scenes of tension related to revenge and danger.
For Parents
Content Intensity
Level 3 — ModerateReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780786807741
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction