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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
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.
Why we rated Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell. 9ME
Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell. is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell. works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell. as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Return to Ithaca / by Mary Pope Osborne ; with artwork by Troy Howell. explores greek mythology, family, adventure, coming of age, and fantasy world-building — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about greek mythology, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Voyage of Odysseus
Lynne Weiss
Voyage of Odysseus
Lynne Weiss
The odyssey
Robin Lister
The odyssey
Robin Lister
Odysseus and the enchanters
Catherine Storr
Odysseus and the enchanters
Catherine Storr
The Odyssey
Diana Stewart
The Odyssey
Diana Stewart
The Epic Adventures of Odysseus: An Interactive Mythological Adventure
Blake Hoena
The Epic Adventures of Odysseus: An Interactive Mythological Adventure
Blake Hoena
Waiting for Odysseus
Clemence McLaren
Waiting for Odysseus
Clemence McLaren
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780786807741
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction