Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that feature books that have been inspired by different mythologies!! I love learning about mythology with all of the different gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, and myths and all of our titles this week would not be here without their inspiration. We have stories that have been inspired by Greek, Norse, Mayan, and other mythologies. They are adventure and action packed as well as some mixed into humor and even some graphic novels. These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #youthlandofmyth as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new middle grade book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes--As the Mayan gods threaten a battle that will destroy the world, thirteen-year-old Zane must resolve an ancient prophecy and discover how his physical disability connects him to his ancestry.
The Quest for the Golden Fleas by Crispin Boyer--In the Mount Olympus Pet Center in Athens, Georgia, owner Artie rescues animals in need of a home and indulges her hobby of Greek history and mythology by naming the pets after Greek gods. Listening in on Artie's favorite podcast "Greeking Out," the pets have come to believe they are mythological heroes. Zeus, a hamster, believes he is the leader of a clan of adventurers that includes a cat, puffer-fish, grasshopper, and pug. Zeus sets out on a quest with his friends to find the Golden Fleas to solidify his position as leader of the pet shop gang.
A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong--Twelve-year-old Rowan knows that she, being older than her twin brother Rhydd by two minutes, is next in line to inherit her Queen mother's throne, but she would rather have Rhydd's destiny of becoming Royal Monster Hunter. Tragedy conspires to send Rowan out of the kingdom on the hunt for the most dangerous monster--a gryphon--together with a feisty baby jackalope and a moody, giant wolf who just barely tolerates Rowan. The future of Rowan's kingdom depends on a successful hunt.
Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse--Seventh-grader Nizhoni Begay can detect monsters--and sees one in the form of her father's new boss. The fancy man has taken a very keen interest in Nizhoni and her brother Mac and the legend of the Hero Twins from Navajo folklore. Her dad refuses to believe Nizhoni, until he is kidnapped leaving only a note that tells the siblings to run. They go on a mission to save their father with a little help from their friends and the Dine? Holy People. But the quest is full of dangers that make it seem like nature itself works against them. If she is to succeed she will need to draw on her heritage to become a true hero.
Loki’s Wolves by Kelley Armstrong--Thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen of Blackwell, South Dakota is a direct descendent of the order-keeping god Thor, and his classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke are descendents of the trickster god Loki. When the apocalypse threatens, the human descendents of the gods must find Thor's Hammer and shield and fight monsters to stop the end of the world.
Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O’Connor--This fourth entry in the Olympians series turns its attention to Hades, brother of Zeus and god of the underworld. At the heart of the story beats the conflict between goddess Demeter and her daughter, Kore; after a raging argument between the two, Kore gets snatched by Hades, who showers her with gifts and promises to make her his queen. Kore, initially reluctant, proves to be as much of a headache to Hades as she was to her mother, but she soon gains an affinity for her newfound status, changing her name to Persephone even as her mother launches a desperate search.