Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal—a proper retelling of the Odyssey by award-winning storytellers who respect both the source material and their young audience. Lupton and Morden don't sanitize the violence or simplify the moral complexity, which means it's genuinely enriching but also genuinely intense.

The violence is mythological (monsters, gods, epic battles) rather than realistic, but Common Sense Media is clear: this is a bloody story. People die. Odysseus makes catastrophic mistakes. The journey is 'sorrowful in a profound and relentless way.' That's Homer, and that's what makes it literature.

If your kid is ready for Greek mythology—studying it in school, fascinated by Percy Jackson and wants the real thing, or just loves adventure stories with stakes—this is an excellent choice. The illustrations are gorgeous, the writing is accessible without being babyish, and it's the kind of book that builds real literary knowledge.

Just don't hand it to a sensitive 6-year-old expecting a bedtime story. This is for kids who can handle that heroes aren't always heroic, journeys aren't always triumphant, and sometimes the Cyclops eats your friends.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14 who are ready for classical literature with real stakes. The publisher and Common Sense Media both recommend 8+, and parent reviews confirm that's about right—younger kids can handle it read aloud if they're not too sensitive to violence, but the emotional weight and complexity really land with 9-12 year olds studying mythology or ancient history.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

62

Classical storytelling with themes of perseverance, humility, and homecoming, but the Odyssey is fundamentally a war story—people are killed in battle and in cold blood, by humans and monsters. The violence isn't gratuitous but it's present and unflinching. Models cleverness and determination, but also includes morally complex moments (Odysseus makes mistakes, shows hubris). The emotional tone is 'sorrowful in a profound and relentless way' per reviews, which is age-appropriate for older elementary but heavy.

Imaginative

78

Greek mythology is inherently imaginative—gods, monsters, epic journeys, the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens. The illustrated retelling by Lupton and Morden 'breathes new life' into the classic with contemporary storytelling techniques. Christina Balit's award-winning illustrations add visual richness. Invites curiosity about ancient stories, geography, and heroic archetypes. However, it's a retelling of an existing tale rather than wholly original content.

Safe

68

Common Sense Media warns this is 'a bloody story' where 'people are killed in battle and in cold blood, by humans and by monsters.' The authors don't shy away from violence. No sexual content or profanity concerns for a children's book. The violence is mythological/fantastical rather than realistic gore, and parents can preview since it's a book. Not shocking for a Greek myth retelling, but younger or sensitive kids might find battle scenes and deaths disturbing. Publisher suggests ages 8+.

Enriching

82

This is classical literature—foundational Western storytelling that teaches about ancient Greek culture, heroism, consequences of pride, and the human condition. The Odyssey explores themes of homecoming, loyalty, perseverance through adversity, and humility. Lupton and Morden won the Classical Association's 2006 award for 'most significant contribution to the public understanding of the classics.' Builds literary knowledge and critical thinking. One parent noted their 7-year-old found it 'well-written but not overwhelming,' suggesting accessible depth.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Award-winning storytellers who actually know how to make ancient epics accessible without dumbing them down
Gorgeous illustrations by Christina Balit that bring the Mediterranean world to life
Teaches classical literature and Greek mythology—the foundation of so much Western storytelling
Models perseverance, cleverness, and humility (Odysseus learns the hard way that hubris has consequences)
Parents report even 6-7 year olds engaged with it when read aloud, though 8+ is the sweet spot

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What to Watch For

This is a war story with real violence—people and monsters die in battle and by execution, not cartoonishly
The emotional tone is heavy: loss, grief, devastating mistakes, and a relentlessly difficult journey home
Younger or sensitive kids might find the Cyclops, Sirens, and battle scenes frightening
Some moral complexity—Odysseus isn't a perfect hero, he's flawed and makes terrible choices

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Odysseus made that mistake with the Cyclops? What would you have done differently?"
"Which monster or challenge would be the scariest to face? Why?"
"How do you think Penelope and Telemachus felt waiting all those years for Odysseus to come home?"
"What does this story teach us about pride and humility?"
"How is Odysseus different from modern superheroes? Is he a good guy or a bad guy?"

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The Adventures of Odysseus Hugh Lupton