Auntie Medusa and Me

Auntie Medusa and Me

By Author / Illustrator

Marie Basting

Genre

Myths & Legends

Age range(s)

9+

Publisher

Chicken House

ISBN

9781915947161

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

An action-packed, laugh-out-loud funny Greek mythology adventure from the author of My Family and Other Romans! I'm Silvia, an ordinary kid just like you. At least, I was ordinary until I wound up in Ancient Rome and found out I'm a demigoddess. Yeah, that took me by surprise too. But seriously, travelling back in time is nothing compared to what's happening now . . . Medusa the gorgon wants her head back - and she's chosen me to find it!


Packed full of Roman and Ancient Greek mythology - as you've never seen it before! A laugh-out-loud funny family caper full of excitement and heart: perfect for fans of Loki, Horrible Histories and Who Let the Gods Out?  Readers will go on a time-travel adventure - with a LARPing twist Perfect for ages 8 and up; sure to be a hit with KS2 readers, as Romans are a staple on the curriculum


See also:  My Family and Other Romans (book 1)   Praise for My Family and Other Romans: 'Perfect funny escapism with added Roman mythology ... Charming and mischievous!' Louie Stowell, author of Loki. 'Full of fun and adventure, this time-travel tale will show you the Romans as you've never imagined them before.' The Week Junior. 'Amazing! I snort-laughed through this hilarious Roman romp. Perfect for anyone learning about the Romans. Love the sprinkling of Latin too!' Rashmi Sirdeshpande. 'Pure chaotic hilarity' S. J. Wills.


Find out more about Roman life, gods and impossible missions from author Marie Basting


Reviews

Emily - Age 10

Auntie Medusa and Me is filled with Ancient Roman gods, adventure and a mixed-up family of gods who live beside Hadrian's Wall! It's very funny and full of surprises, I loved reading it.

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Jenny

Another riotously charming and comically crazy time-travelling adventure with Silvia Fortuna Juno De Luca - schoolgirl and Demi Goddess!


Silvia is used to hopping back to the past to catch up with her family back in Ancient Rome. With the Goddess of War as a parent and a sea monster sister called Scylla with six heads, she is also used to unusual family members showing up and even more unusual quests to begin… This time ghostly Auntie Medusa has a task for her .. her head has gone missing and she wants Silvia to get it back.


Lively, laugh out loud and pacey to read with Roman names, phrases and information highlighted in bold and listed in a glossary at the back for quick, engaging references, Auntie Medusa and Me is action-packed and warm-hearted. Full of odd but endearing characters such as Uncle Vulcan, who calls Silvia "cupcake" and has a fondness for turkey twizzlers, and the odious villains of the piece, who need defeating and putting in their place.


In Auntie Medusa and Me, we meet Crassus (based on a real Roman figure) who collects and preserves mythical wonders in his creepy vault. This book is thoroughly entertaining and appealing and more than a little bit educational as Roman ways of life, culture and famous figures are brought to life before us. Silvia herself is a feisty, positive, first person narrator for the story and weaves the history and the present day together perfectly.   A lovely reading for pleasure story.


256 pages / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Hayley

The second instalment from Marie Basting is Auntie Medusa and Me. The story takes us on another madcap adventure with the demigod - Silvia - and her unusual Roman family.


Having discovered that she is a demigod, Silvia now spends her time between realms; when she is not at school, she goes to visit her uncle Vulcan in Ancient Romana.  When the ghost of Medusa turns up in her Uncle's court, asking for the Undecided's help to find her missing head, Silvia can hardly refuse and with her Uncle Vulcan and Mrs Burden - Silvia's ordinary neighbour who also happens to be a goddess - conjure up a new mission: operation head heist. But as always, there is a small prophecy that needs to be fulfilled in order to save Romana. Silvia and her brother Felix must retrieve Medusa's head that has been stolen from Minerva's shield before it ends up in the wrong hands.


This hair-raising mission to the catacombs is full of traps, puzzles and fantastic mythical creatures that Silvia must overcome to find Medusa's head and make amends for actions by Roman gods in the past.


Children will love reading Auntie Medusa and Me because it is full of humour, adventure and mystery. It was such a pleasure to read and the characters are so brilliantly crafted that children will be able to understand their actions through their characteristics.


This book will help ignite curiosity about mythological creatures and the Ancient world through its well-written story line and loveable characters.


256 pages / Reviewed by Hayley Summerfield, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

 

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