About This Book:
Percy Jackson meets The Labors of Hercules Beal in this hilarious, page-turning fantasy adventure with a heart of gold from two award-winning authors.
Simon expected more from life than being orphaned in ancient Greece and stuck in the Underworld for eternity. Determined not to forget who he is, he commits himself to escaping Hades. Along the way, he faces the monster Cerberus, befriends the tormented Sisyphus, and becomes Persephone’s favorite servant. Then, after centuries of failed attempts, he is finally thrust into modern times—and into the stall of a middle school bathroom. Naked.
With the help of Zeke, a nerdy rich kid on the social fringes, Simon learns to navigate this amazing and bewildering world. And with Simon’s help, Zeke begins to question his comfortable life and understand the true meaning of friendship. Everything seems to be going great . . . until the god of the Underworld sends a demon girl to bring Simon back. And suddenly, it’s not just the secret of Simon’s past that’s threatened, but their very lives—and everyone’s around them, too. Is their friendship strong enough to withstand the Will of Hades and save St. Nikolaos Academy Middle School?
From two-time Newbery honoree Gary D. Schmidt and two-time PEN Award winner Ron Koertge, Styx and Stones is an unforgettable coming-of-age adventure about friendship, courage, and identity, brimming with Greek mythology and high-stakes action.
*Review Contributed By Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*
Declare the pennies on your eyes
Simon of Lacedaemon was killed by Spartan soldiers along with his family and has been in the Underworld for 2,451 years. Since he didn’t drink the water from Lethe, he remembers his old life, and has been trying to escape. Unlike the other shades, he can interact and even learn, so Persephone has him wait on her, since he also prepares pomegranate seeds the way she likes. After training Cerberus by scratching the ears on all three of his heads, he manages to make the harrowing Journey out of the Underworld and ends up, naked, in the seventh grade boys’ bathroom at St. Nikolaos Academy in St. Paul Minnesota. Luckily, Zeke Tripp finds him and helps him out. Zeke struggles with bullies like Rowan, has very hands off parents, and is struggling with his own personal tragedy. The two boys claim that Simon is from Las Vegas and his parents and luggage are experiencing travel difficulties, and enroll him at the school with the help of Mr. Savalas, who is pleased with Simon’s knowledge of Ancient Greek mythology (and who also is struggling with his own personal tragedy). Zeke’s grandmother lets Simon stay in the family’s pool house and doesn’t ask too many questions. In the Underworld, Hades is very angry that someone escaped, but Persephone, Sisyphus, and others are glad. Persephone even starts a subtle shift of power because she is so unhappy spending six months of the year in the Underworld. At school, Simon is given a hard time, but he and Zeke work together, and do get help from some classmates like Lucinda. When strange things start happening in St. Paul, the boys know that Hades is trying to get Simon back. Has Simon “broken” the Underworld and make a lasting escape, or will he have to return to his hellish existence?
Good Points
This was beautifully written and introspective, and wove details of Greek mythology into a modern setting in an interesting way. The use of Cerberus will touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere, and watching Simon struggle to leave the Underworld was oddly enthralling. His arrival in St. Paul was explained well enough that I could even believe the school didn’t ask questions. Even though the story went back and forth between the two worlds, it wasn’t hard to understand, and the narrative tension was maintained in both timelines. This is beautifully written, and felt almost cinematic at times.
While this was a brilliantly constructed book, and our state curriculum for social studies covers ancient Greece and Rome, also touching on mythology. I was enthralled by it, but it was a bit sad. Do have to give some bonus points for Mr. Savalas’ career path description: “So how did I end up teaching middle school? My field was Classics.” Same, Mr. Savalas. Same.
This is a good choice for readers who really like mythology or who enjoyed allergorical books like Haydu’s Eventown or Huang’s Kaya of the Ocean.
