Mythology - Greek, Norse etc

[Snoopsnoggysnog]

12 yo DD very into Greek mythology and recently discovering Norse as well - any ideas on what to get her that talks to this interest?

I know it’s a bit niche!

I love the Myth Atlas by Thiago de Mores.

Neil Gaiman does a retelling of Norse Mythology and Stephen Fry's Greek myths stories are also supposed to be good - I've not read either but they're well rated. Maybe someone else coming later has more info but hope it's a good start.

Has she got into Percy Jackson/the other Rick Riordan books?

They're fiction but good fun, worth checking if they'd suit her age though as I still actively enjoy children's books as an adult so am sometimes not great at making an age assessment.

Rick Riordan's books - Greek and Norse Gods a plenty.

My just 12yr old is massively into mythology and has virtually everything that Rick Riordan has written!!

Rick Riordan does a good retelling of the Greek gods in Percy Jackson, I've not read any of his other books yet.
If she wants informative books The Greek Myths by Robert Graves is a good one, it's also the book Rick drew from for his books... It is very clunky though if that makes sense.
I have The Norse Myths, a guide to god's and hero's which seems a good book.

Agree with Percy Jackson boos etc.

I love the Horrible History books as well. I brought their entire box set for £10 in book depot which was such a bargain!

I second the Rick Riordan books, my son has read them all & loves mythology.

Kate O'Hearn is another brilliant author who writes about mythology. Valkyrie, Pegasus & Shadow of a Dragon are all excellent series.

Usborne do a 'Build Your Own Mythical Beasts' sticker book also Top trumps could be fun.

There's some good things on the RedBubble website.

Worth trying something like Books2Door if you want Rick Riordan books - they have the whole first series for £15 and have been excellent before when I've ordered from them.

DS loved the Roger Lancyn Green books re- telling myths when he was around 10-13. The language was a bit old-fashioned but he enjoyed it.

Neil Gaiman was a favourite in our household. Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller is a good starter for young teens too, as is Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (perhaps save this one for a bit older?). Then move on to Stephen Fry Mythos and Heroes, which although a bit more weighty, tells the tales in an amusing and interesting way.

DD2 in particular loved all this stuff, and went on to do Classics for GCSE and Alevel.

At your DD’s age I enjoyed Mary Renault’s books. Try ‘The king must die’ and ‘The bull from the sea’ based on the story of Theseus. She wrote many more your DD might like, but those are a good start.

Percy Jackson taught my dd everything she knows about Greek mythology 🤣, she gets excited when she can answer quiz show questions based on her Percy Jackson knowledge, she’s almost 18 now and read the books when she was 10/11.

@Sauvignonblanket

I love the Myth Atlas by Thiago de Mores.

Neil Gaiman does a retelling of Norse Mythology and Stephen Fry's Greek myths stories are also supposed to be good - I've not read either but they're well rated. Maybe someone else coming later has more info but hope it's a good start.

The Stephen Fry books are great for an adult - they are way too graphic for my sensitive 11 year old as they don't shy away from the sex and violence elements of the Greek myths. (Lots of rape and incest).

I'm not sure what they are/how they're meant to be used but due to a Pinterest search for runes at one point I now get lots of suggested pins of rune stones and rune casting boards, maybe that would be something she'd be interested in?

I'd get something by Natalie Haynes. I'm buying A Thousand Ships for a teenager this Christmas but I can also recommend The Children of Jocasta.

Runes
Percy Jackson book box set
Stephen fry retelling of myths
Medusa style jewellery like snakes
I was trying to think of a game for nintendo ps4 etc but I think they're all above her age with themes and violence etc.

Fenyx rising is based on Greek mythology (from what bit I've seen)
Not sure of age rating, but likely ok for 12yos.

Wow - I didn’t expect so many responses - thank you!

And I should have said - she’s read pretty much everything by Rick Riordan

Will work through the other suggestions - much appreciated.

It’s actually my DN not my DD so don’t know exactly everything she’s read so will check with her parents too.

If she wants to broaden into Romans, the Albia and Falco murder mystery series by Lindsey Davis are good. They are written in a light hearted and humorous way but very accurate about daily Roman life and the politics of the time.

@Cherryrainbow

Runes Percy Jackson book box set Stephen fry retelling of myths Medusa style jewellery like snakes I was trying to think of a game for nintendo ps4 etc but I think they're all above her age with themes and violence etc.

There is a mobile game called Frostrune, it's free so wouldn't work as a present but she might like it as a suggestion from you anyway

Yes to Percy Jackson and Magnus Chase series. My 11-year-old loves Riordan's books.
We also have this edition of Norse Myths which is at a reduced price on amazon today www.amazon.co.uk/Norse-Myths-Tales-Walker-Studio/dp/1406361844?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&ref_=Oct_DLandingS_D_ddad1361_62&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Also has your daughter read Maz Evans' series Who let the Gods out? It is great for fans of the Greek myths.
And if you're on the lookout for Norse myths-related jewellery (a big variety of styles and prices) - check out etsy www.etsy.com/uk/market/norse_mythology_pin

What about Mythos? Or is that too grown up?

My DD is very interested in this. She's loved lots of the suggestions people have made (huge fan of Rick Riordan and Maz Evans), but has recently also been reading the Madeline Miller books (Circe, Song of Achilles), Natalie Haynes' (I think!) Pandora's Jar. I think they wouldn't be suitable for all 12 year olds though, so may be for further down the line. She is especially interested in a feminist slant on myths/the Greeks etc.
I am getting DD Jessie Burton's Medusa this year. Last year I got a her a book, I think it was by Lonely Planet, called something like Myths and Legends of the World, which was good I think. I have also got her some Cornish Folk Tales (we live in Cornwall, but presumably other areas have their own equivalents!) in the past.

My 12 year old LOVED Neil Gaiman's retelling. So did I. It's REALLY good.