Jason and the Golden Fleece

By James Riordan

Book Overview

Award-winning children's author James Riordan boldly retells this story from Greek mythology, introducing readers to the first great European hero to undertake a grand journey. Accompanied by some of ancient Greece's bravest heroes, Jason leads an expedition to retrieve the Golden Fleece, the property of a king in a far-off land. Traveling by sea, they encounter trial after trial along their route - shrieking Harpies, deadly clashing rocks, and fierce Amazon warrior women - and yet more challenges await them at their destination. For before he will give up the fleece, the king devises a test for Jason that will certainly be the death of him - unless the king's daughter, Medea, agrees out of love for Jason to lend him her magical powers. This is a classic tale of high adventure that holds appeal for boys and girls alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1845070615
• ISBN13: 9781845070618
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Ltd
• Length: 61 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 10.6"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

The First Hero of Greek Mythology

The story of Jason and the Argonauts is one of the oldest heroic stories of Western Civilization. Homer makes reference to Jason in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. However, the first complete telling of the myth comes to us from the Third Century BCE in the epic poem, Argonautica. "Jason and the Glden Fleece" is a retelling of the Argonautica with children as its targeted audience. "Jason and the Golden Fleece" does a good job of tracking the plot line of the Argonautica. All the major characters and incidents are included in this version. The writing is competent and the illustrations are first class. However, what keeps me from giving this book five stars is that I am not sure the Argonautica can really be condensed for children. It is too interesting a story to be reduced down to its simplest plot elements. Although I have not read it, I suspect that the Padraic Colum and Willy Pagany retelling probably does the myth more justice.