For Greek myth fans, those who can’t get enough of the D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths , and readers who have aged out of Rick Riordan, this classroom staple and mythology classic is perfect for learning about the ancient myths !       King Odysseus and the Greeks have triumphed over the Trojans. At long last, they are able to set sail for home and the loving family Odysseus left behind. But for the heroic king, the return voyage holds hazards far greater than any he faced during the war.     Forced by treacherous winds into unknown seas, Odysseus and his crew must face deadly perils: the flesh-eating Cyclops, Circe and her deadly enchantments, and the soul-chilling Land of the Dead and more.    Rosemary Sutcliff’s reimagining of the classic epic The Odysseus is woven through with a spectacular cast of men, magicians, and monsters. Odysseus’ harrowing journey home to his family and kingdom tests the limits of his strength, and the power of his will.   Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey , is one of the greatest adventure stories of all time and Rosemary Sutcliff stays true to the classic tale and characters in this authentic retelling rich with drama, magic, and heroism.   Don’t miss Black Ships Before Troy , the companion to The Wanderings of Odysseus , and follow Odysseus and his crew as they fight in the epic battle against the Trojans. Praise for The Wanderings of Odysseus :   "[Sutcliff] retells Homer's Odyssey with thrilling drama ...The story of the hero's long years of wandering...has the mythic power of everyone's search for home...[and she] fuses epic grandeur with a direct simplicity that will bring the universal story home."- Booklist "Rosemary Sutcliff has done a great service ...by warmly and carefully abridging two classics that many people find difficult to tackle in their original form. Not only has she broken the long tales into tolerable and interesting chapters, she has smoothed out the language while keeping true to all of the original drama and excitement. "- Parent Express " An intimate portrait of a man....Readers will enjoy this classic adventure."- SLJ   Praise for Black Ships Before Troy :   An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults   “ A splendid offering, bringing the ancient tale to new and vibrant life.”—Kirkus Reviews, Pointer   " Amazingly told, taut with cunning and terror. ”— Booklist "[ Sutcliff] brings into vivid focus the mythic story of the Trojan War, with all of its visually dramatic elements …[and] leaves many of the epic’s powerful metaphors intact."— Publishers Weekly A master storyteller and an award-winning illustrator evoke the golden age of mythical Greece in this spirited retelling of "The Odyssey. "From the Hardcover edition. Rosemary Sutcliff wrote more than 40 historical novels for young adults, including The Wanderings of Odysseus and Black Ships Before Troy , as well as five adult novels, and several books of nonfiction. The CYCLOPS Seven more days at sea brought Odysseus and his fleet to an island of rough low hills, where a deep-set bay opened toward them; there in the mouth of the bay, they found a small and most beautiful islet that looked never to have felt the feet of any but the wild goats that grazed there. They beached their ships on the sheltered landward side, and passed the night feasting on fresh meat and the wine of Maron, priest of Apollo, thankful to rest from the sea whose waves pounded the outer side of the islet. Next day, Odysseus took his own ship and a great jar of the priest's wine in case of need and, leaving all the rest, went to see what kind of people lived on the main island; for they could see the faint waft of distant fires, even hear faint and far off the bleating of sheep. And again, as with the Lotus Eaters, he wished to be sure whether or not the people were dangerous. The crossing of the bay was quickly made, and Odysseus chose twelve men from his crew and pushed on inland. They had not gone far when they came upon a cave, its high entrance overhung with laurel bushes, and all about it large stone-walled folds such as men build to hold their flocks at night. Some of the folds were already filled with lambs and kids, but there was no sign of the grown flock, nor of the shepherd; so it must be that he had driven them out to pasture. Odysseus and his band prowled into the cave and looked about them. They found great baskets full of cheeses, huge pails brimming with milk and whey, but no sign or sound of life save for the bleating of the lambs from the folds outside. The seamen wanted to take some cheeses and as many of the lambs and kids as they could carry and be off back to the ship. But Odysseus, always one for seeing whatever was to be seen, wanted to get a sight of the cave's owner before they left. So they ate some of the cheese, being hungry, and settled down at the back of the cave to wait. Toward sunset a great bleating and pattering and all the sounds of a fl