A mythical timeslip story about family, love, loss and memory, with an epic sea voyage at its heart, inspired by the legend of Odysseus.
*Blackwell's Children's Book of the Month for September*
Phoebe dreams of becoming an artist like her grandmother, Cass, a brilliant storyteller who has passed on her love of Greek myths to Phoebe. But Cass is disappearing before Phoebe's eyes, lost to a cruel illness that is destroying her memory. When grief drives Phoebe to ruin the only painting Cass has never sold, a seascape inspired by childhood holidays on the Greek island of Ithaca, she is mysteriously swept away to a fantasy world that resembles her favourite myth of all – the story of the Odyssey.
There Phoebe is caught up in a young boy's mission to find his long-lost father – a shipbuilder to King Odysseus, last seen going off to fight in the Trojan War – and faces an epic quest of her own. To seek the shape-shifting monster whose ravenous and growing power may hold the key to Phoebe fighting her own demons. Only by defeating the monster and facing her fears, will she have any hope of finding her way home and back to Cass.
'We all have monsters to face. This book skillfully combines a fast-moving fantasy adventure in the world of the Odyssey with a very real struggle against the monsters of grief and guilt.' Gillian Cross, Carnegie Medal winner and author of the Demon Headmaster series.
'This is a thoroughly enjoyable read! Annelise Gray uses her impressive Classics knowledge to influse Phoebe's odyssey with some familiar characters, as well as some new ones, including a terrifying mythical creature who feeds on memories. This is an epic adventure, with plenty of heart-warming moments as well'. Cassia Morrice, Blackwell's Bookseller (Blackwell's Children's Book of the Month).
'The perfect next read for lovers of Percy Jackson adventures, blended with the pathos of Katya Balen.' Heffers Bookseller (Children's Book of the Month).
'The story is ultimately one of both hope and acceptance as seen through the eyes of children....thoughtful, but never heavy-handed, this is an ideal class reader. Highly recommended.' The School Reading List.
'This is a one-sitting read! Engaging from the first page, The Odyssey of Phoebe Quilliam combines a thrilling adventure story with the poignant worries of a child coping with dementia in a loved one.....The perfect candidate for storytime selection.' Reading Zone.
'Gray has captured an experience that is hard to explain, when we must accept our loved one even though we desperately miss who they once were....poignant and wonderful.' Children's Books Ireland.
'Interwoven with myth but with a truly original slant....new and exciting.' English 4-11 Magazine.
'A fantastic mythical time-slip adventure, with a brave and thoughful heroine at its heart....a wonderful blend of thrills and tenderness.' Juno Magazine
'Imaginative and engrossing....this book would make an excellent class read.' Through the Bookshelf.
'Completely captivating....a wonderful combination of realistic fiction and brilliant mythological fantasy.' Scope for Imagination
