Styx and Stones

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?

What worked:
Other books have characters leave mythological worlds to enter the human domain, but this book takes the time to describe Simon’s woes in Hades. Upon entering the underworld, he refuses to drink water that will make him forget everything he’s known, and that’s the smartest thing he does. However, Simon is tortured for more than 2,500 years by memories of his family and being alive, and he’s punished thousands of times for trying to escape. The author describes the suffocating atmosphere in Hades and the dreariness of existing among mindless shades. The only positive moments come from Persephone when she allows scholars to educate Simon about math, science, and philosophy.
Simon’s introduction to the modern world is rocky, as he appears naked in a middle-school bathroom. Coming from ancient Athens, he’s immediately angered to learn he’s now in the middle of a school full of their enemies, Spartans. Simon was murdered by a Spartan! Zeke, a seventh-grader, calms him down and tells others that Simon is his cousin from Las Vegas. Obviously, Simon is unaware of middle-school culture, and he misunderstands situations, speaking without foreseeing the consequences. Young readers will smile when a bully gives him the middle finger, and Simon happily returns the greeting. A teacher tries to explain a map of Hades, but Simon ends up drawing an entirely different layout based on his time down there. Simon’s knowledge, maturity, and compassion have positive effects on almost everyone he meets, although a pompous bully probably disagrees.
Simon’s effect on Hades is an expected, thought-provoking aspect of the plot. He holds onto hope for becoming alive again, and he displays a curious, kind disposition. Hades rules his realm with hatred, cruelty, and fear, so Simon’s personality is an annoyance. The other shades and characters don’t know what to do with his kindness, but it slowly becomes the key to his escape. The subtle changes that remain after he leaves cause Persephone to wonder what makes him so different. Simon’s civility and gentleness have lingering effects in the underworld that will make Hades even angrier and vengeful.
What didn’t work as well:
Hades is supposed to be for those who were evil during their lives, so readers will wonder why Simon ended up there. The answer is revealed late in the plot, but it doesn’t seem worthy of being banished to the underworld for eternity. Also, it’s strange that Zeke doesn’t initially question Simon’s sudden appearance at school, even though Simon isn’t wearing clothes and talks about living in Hades. Most middle-school boys would flee when faced by a nude stranger in the school bathroom.
The final verdict:
The book may be more than readers expect. The threat of Hades underlies the whole story, but Simon’s gentle demeanor is the highlight of the book. I recommend you give this book a shot!