The Children's Homer

Padraic Colum

Cover of The Children's Homer

The Children's Homer

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy

by Padraic Colum

Illustrated by Willy Pogany

Reading Level 6 11MP Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 6th 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

The clash of warriors shakes the walls of Troy as heroes charge into battle with swords flashing and shields crashing. Amid the chaos, a clever plan is hatched that could change the fate of the war forever. But will the Greeks outsmart the Trojans, or will the city fall first?

Quick Assessment

This book offers a captivating retelling of the Trojan War and Odysseus's adventures, adapted from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey for middle-grade readers. It introduces classical mythology in an accessible way, suitable for ages 9-12, with some battle scenes that are dramatic but appropriate for this age group. Parents should note the presence of fantasy violence typical of heroic epics.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11MP — Moderate — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
9780689868832
Pages
256
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published
June 22, 2004
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Mythology, GreekTrojan WarOdysseusLegends, Myths, & FablesGreek & RomanLegends, Myths, FablesAction & AdventureAchillesGreek MythologyAdaptationsAdventure and AdventurersHomer, AdaptationsGreeceKangaroo-ratRodentsKangaroo Rats

People

Homer