The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
	The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based booklist available as an online-only Bulletin feature. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months.
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Everything Old Is New Again: A Mythological Dozen --selected by April Spisak, Reviewer Folktales have been enjoying a boom in revisions, and lately myths and legends are getting into the act as well. Here’s a collection of classic classics reborn in contemporary treatments.

• Block, Francesca Lia.  Psyche in a Dress.  Cotler/HarperCollins, 2006.  Gr. 9-12
  This haunting novel in verse examines how the gods of Greek mythology would be different if they lived today, entrenched in Californian culture and modern-day mores.  (BCCB 11/06)


• Cooney, Caroline.  Goddess of Yesterday.  Delacorte, 2002.  Gr. 6-9
  Veteran author Cooney offers a smooth and captivating exploration of the Trojan War through the eyes of Anaxandra, an intelligent and stubborn heroine who sees all of the action from the sidelines.  (BCCB 7/02)
  


• Coville, Bruce.  Thor’s Wedding Day.  Harcourt, 2005.  Gr. 4-6
  Thialfi, one of Thor’s servants, finds himself way over his head in adventure after his master’s mighty hammer is stolen and he is charged with retrieving it. (BCCB 12/05)
  
  
• Druitt, Tobias.  Corydon and the Island of Monsters.  Knopf, 2006.  Gr. 7-9
  Protagonist Corydon gets caught up in an epic battle between Zeus’ army of 10,000 men hungry for treasure and a small band of isolated “monsters” including Medusa, the Minotaur, and Gorgons who seek asylum where none seems possible.  (BCCB 3/06)
  
  
• Friesner, Esther.  Temping Fate.  Dutton, 2006.  Gr. 6-8
  Ilana dreads the idea of getting a summer job, but even she has to admit that a gig with the Divine Relief Temp Agency (for gods and goddesses who need a vacation) is worth giving up her summer relaxation time.  (BCCB 9/06)
  
  
• Geras, Adèle.  Ithaka.  Harcourt, 2006.  Gr. 9-12
  Drawing from elements of The Odyssey, Geras develops an engaging study of Ithaka, the effects of war, and the quiet desperation accompanying lives driven by fate.  (BCCB 3/06)
  
  
• Hoffman, Alice.  The Foretelling.  Little, 2005.  Gr. 8-12
  Rain, the daughter of the Amazon queen, must come into her own as a warrior, a rider, and a compassionate liaison to the outside world.  (BCCB 10/05)
  
  
• Jones, Diana Wynne.  The Game.  Firebird/Penguin, 2007.  Gr. 5-7
  Hayley knew of the incredible magic in the world, but she had no idea how involved her own family (consisting of characters from Greek and Roman myths) was in controlling it until she breaks free of her controlling uncle and grandmother.  (BCCB 6/07)
  
  
• Kindl, Patrice.  Lost in the Labyrinth.  Houghton, 2002.  Gr. 5-9
  Minoan princess Xenodice’s own destiny is derailed by her efforts to save her half-brother, the Minotaur, from the murderous machinations of Daedelus, Theseus, and Ariadne. (BCCB 11/02)
  
  
• Lester, Julius.  Cupid: A Tale of Love and Desire.  Harcourt, 2007.  Gr. 9-12
  The epic romance of Cupid and Psyche is retold through the eyes of an omniscient, wry observer whose asides are as much a part of the story as the relationship itself.  (BCCB 3/07)
  
  
• Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief.  Miramax/Hyperion, 2005.  Gr. 5-8
  Percy Jackson could never guess at his incredible future the day he is chased from his boarding school by monsters no one else sees.  He soon finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for the hero offspring of Greek gods, and his life will never be quiet again.  (BCCB 10/05)
  
  
• Spinner, Stephanie.  Quiver.  Knopf, 2002.  Gr. 7-10
  The myth of Atalanta is adapted in this action-packed and well-told adventure.  Atalanta’s life, from being left on a hillside as an infant to her prowess as a racer, is rich material for a novel. See also Quicksilver, featuring Hermes.  (BCCB 2/03) 
  
  
• Tomlinson, Theresa.  The Moon Riders.  Eos/Harper Collins, 2006.  Gr. 6-9
  Myrina is a Moon Rider, an Amazonian warrior charged with protecting Troy and the surrounding areas, though she scarcely guesses at the sacrifices that would be required of everyone at the outbreak of the Trojan War. (BCCB 2/07)
  
  

This page was last updated on September 1, 2007.

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