Ancient Greece Historical Fiction
Here are some suggestions for books, but this is just a starting point; there is a lot more out there.
You are welcome to find your own book (but no Percy Jackson!).
Please use your judgment and choose something appropriate.
It’s ok if more than one student chooses the same book.
Goddess Of Yesterday – Caroline Cooney
A young girl, the sole survivor of a pirate raid of an island kingdom in ancient
Greece, reinvents herself as the island's princess. When rescued, Anaxandra
soon finds herself in the midst of events that plunge Sparta and Troy into war.
Quiver – Stephanie Spinner
Greek gods and mortals spring to life in this riveting retelling of the myth of
Atalanta, the fleet-footed girl warrior who could outrun any man in ancient
Greece.
Dateline: Troy – Paul Fleischman
A retelling of the story of the Trojan War illustrated with collages featuring
newspaper clippings of modern events from World War I through the Persian
Gulf war.
Troy – Adele Geras
Told from the point of view of the women of Troy, portrays the last weeks of the
Trojan War, when women are sick of tending the wounded, men are tired of
fighting, and bored gods and goddesses find ways to stir things up.
Singer to the Sea God – Viven Alcock
A fun take on the traditional Perseus myth. When he and his companions flee
their island home after the king's court is turned to stone, Phaidon begins to
believe in the gods and monsters that his uncle has always scorned.
Aleta and the Queen – Priscilla Galloway
Twelve-year-old Aleta finds a way to help Queen Penelope outwit the traitors in
her court. This original retelling of the Odyssey gives readers a unique look at
life on the ancient Greek "home front" while remaining faithful to the details of the
classic story.
Daughter of the Sea – Madeleine Polland
A Greek boy and an English girl are transported back in time to ancient Crete
during its invasion by Greece.
The Moon Over Crete – Jyotsna Sreenivasan
Eleven-year-old Lily travels back in time 3,500 years to ancient Crete, where
women and men were equal.
The Fire of Ares, Birth of a Warrior, Legacy of Blood – Michael Ford
Spartan Quest series.
Stories of a young Helot slave who becomes a Spartan Warrior.
Fire from Heaven – Mary Renault
First in a trilogy about Alexander the Great.
Black Ships Before Troy – Rosemary Sutcliff
Retells the story of the Trojan War, from the quarrel for the golden apple, and the
flight of Helen with Paris, to the destruction of Troy.
The Maid of Artemis – Olivia Coolidge
During the year she serves as a maiden of Artemis, a young Greek girl becomes
attached to the bird she must sacrifice to the goddess at the end of her service
and finds it difficult to reconcile herself to this rule as well as to other demands
upon her.
Pandora of Athens – Barry Denenberg
In 399 B.C., thirteen-year-old Pandora dreads her upcoming marriage to a man
twice her age, but a chance meeting with the philosopher Socrates encourages
her to question traditional female roles and to seek her own truth.
Crown of Violet (pub. in USA as Web of Traitors) – Geoffrey Trease
An exciting story of a mysterious plot to overthrow democracy. The setting
is the Athens of Socrates; the hero is a fearless young Athenian with a
passionate love of his country; and the enemy is Sparta, plotting to conquer
the free men of Athens.