The Trojan War

by Olivia E. Coolidge

Book Overview

In this retelling of the Trojan War, Olivia Coolidge crafts heroes and gods into real, multidimensional characters, not just the figures of legend. Vibrant storytelling and finely wrought action have made her version of the classic tale of the Fall of Troy accessible to generations of young readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618154280
• ISBN13: 9780618154289
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

Ordered a hardcover got a softcover

I was very excited to find this is Hardcover for my daughters collection. When a soft cover arrived I was confused. Maybe I ordered wrong but after double-checking, I was in fact sent the wrong cover.

"The Stories that Make You Love Literature"

Once again, I am using Coolidge's THE TROJAN WAR to teach a literature class for my college-bound, English as a Second Language (ESL) students. My students are mostly college-age students who have already received an education and English training in their home countries, but have come to America to continue their studies. My international students, most of whom come from Asia, the Mideast, and other non-Western cultures, always enjoy Coolidge's THE TROJAN WAR. The stories are new to them, and one of the great pleasures that I have as an ESL teacher is introducing my ESL students to the Judgment of Paris, the Wrath of Achilles, the Fall of Troy, the Wanderings of Odysseus, and the other great stories of the Trojan cycle. The age-level listed for this book is 9-12, and I would say that is about right. THE TROJAN WAR is high-interest, and tells a great story: It is not unusual for my students to read ahead because they are so enthralled with the book. One advantage of this book is that it covers the entire cycle of the Trojan myth. Each chapter is about eight to ten pages long and tells one story from the Trojan cycle; that makes it very easy to teach from. Sadly, many of Odysseus' adventures from THE ODYSSEY are omitted or briefly summarized. If you have read Homer, this book will offer you little, but if you are a precocious middle-schooler or an interntational student from China or Saudi Arabia, this book can be a real page-turner. As one of my students from Ghana wrote when he reviewed my class at the end of the session, "These are the stories that make you love literature." Enough said.

The Trojan War v. Troy

Although many students are familiar with the version of the Trojan War made popular by Wolfgang Petersen, Coolidge presents a well-researched, chronological narrative that draws from the primary sources familiar to both the modern and ancient world. Aeschylus, "Homer," Vergil, inter al. speak in Coolidge's work, allowing students to gain an understanding of what "really" happened in Troy. Middle grade students can read this version and build a solid foundation for other primary source readings in high school. The chapters are brief and can be assigned as daily readings that do not overwhelm students. I highly recommend this book.

A 6-year old's review

This is a very good book because of its intense atmosphere and it is very exciting. Some of the main characters are Achilles, Hector, Helen and Paris. Helen loved Paris and ran away with him from her original husband. She was the most beautiful woman in the world which is why the Greeks and Trojans fought over her. The outcome is that the Greeks won. They won by killing all the Trojan leaders, one at a time. It also helped by invading the city from inside. The Trojans were told to take a giant horse which was made of wood inside their city. It was full of Greek soldiers hiding inside it! It was an ambush! I recommend this book for boys and girls.

AWESOME

I had to read this book for my English class. As one of the earlier reviews said you can't tell where everything is taking place, you actually can. If you pay close attention to what's happening you can clearly see where everything is taking place. This book does a good job of using the Iliad and the Odyssey and mixing them together into one story. I highly recomend you to read this book.

This was a wonderful book

This was a wonderful book. I guess other people don't like Greek Mythology. This book was great! It was full of action and excitement. It was a very good book. This was truly one of the best books I ever read!