Paul Shipton grew up in Manchester and went to university in Cambridge. He spent several years teaching English as a foreign language before becoming an editor of school books in English and science. After living in America for some time he has now returned to the UK where he works as a freelance editor and writer. Paul lives with his wife and two daughters.
Gr 5-8-Gryllus, the ancient Greek sailor-turned-pig, and his companions Sibyl, a former priestess, and Homer, an adolescent poet, are in search of the sorceress Circe, who can restore Gryllus to his human form. However, Circe and the rest of the gods and goddesses have been captured by Sisyphus, who has escaped his eternal torment and is looking for revenge. It's up to Gryllus and his companions to rescue the gods and save the world again, following their previous adventures in The Pig Scrolls (Candlewick, 2005). Major and minor characters from Greek mythology aid or hinder Gryllus, including the Cyclops, King Midas and his daughter, and the talking head of Orpheus, the "greatest singer in the ancient world." Gryllus's narrative voice brings humor to the most desperate situations, though episodes like the Cyclops-flatulence contest speak for themselves. Gryllus's sarcasm and self-centered perspective are consistent, and readers will find him either entertaining or annoying. Familiarity with Greek mythology adds to the humor, but a glossary of Greek terms and characters is a useful addition. Readers who've outgrown Dan Greenburg's early chapter books may find the slightly gross humor here entertaining, but Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series (Hyperion/Miramax) offers a more contemporary and engaging take on Greek mythology.-Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
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