Introduction
Abby Ogle


  Welcome to my Storybook!  This Storybook is centered around Greek mythology.  The Storybook is also about the emotional and mental journey that a young girl goes through.  I have combined my story about this young girl's journey with stories about Odysseus.  Odysseus, also known as Ulysses, is the main character in Homer's The Odyssey and The Iliad.  In both of these works, Odysseus is a hero.  He encounters many obstacles and it takes him twenty years to get home from the Trojan War.  His home is in Ithaca, where his wife Penelope and son Telemachus reside.   This Storybook contains stories that center around Odysseus but include other characters such as Penelope (his wife), Helen (Penelope's cousin), and Clymnestra (Penelope's other cousin).  As you read, you will see how a modern, American girl can learn something from a Greek epic hero's adventures from thousands of years ago!

I have chosen to do my Storybook on Greek mythology because it has always fascinated me.  The characters seem so real because they have extremely human traits, which makes the ancient stories easy to relate to.  In order to retell these stories, I have decided to use a teenage girl as my main character.  I did this because the things that a young woman experiences during her teen years--dating, friendships with girls, and the vital relationship with her mother--are emotionally similar to an epic Greek adventure.  I thought the aspects of Greek mythology, especially Odysseus's journey and hardships, and the journey a teenage girl goes through would complement each other really well.

The source I will be using for my Storybook is A Story of the Golden Age of Greek Heroes, written by James Baldwin and published in 1905.

I chose this book because it is easy to read and follow.  It keeps the drama and excitement of Greek stories alive while maintaining a simple reading level.  The book has twenty-one stories for me to choose from.  Most of the stories involve Odysseus, and they each have separate and valuable themes.  The variety in this book made it easy for me to find stories that fit my frame and that will teach Chloe lessons.

The main character of my Storybook is named Chloe.  Chloe is about to turn sixteen years old and she is the most beautiful girl in her school.  Of course, there is a boy who she is interested in and he likes her too.  Her looks, her sweetness, and her relationship all cause the other girls to be very jealous and they are extremely mean to Chloe.  She is sick of the way they hurt her feelings.  However, Chloe has a warm and caring heart and does not know how to handle the mean girls.  She seeks advice from some people in her life and hears stories about Odysseus.  See what happens...

Coverpage
Return to the coverpage.
Odyssey: The Most Beautiful Woman in the World
The Barbies, the clique of deceitful and conniving girls, are giving Chloe a terrible time.  Chloe is frustrated with all of the mean girls.  She seeks advice from her mother and, in turn, hears a fantastic story about Odysseus.  In the end, Chloe learns that kindness is the most attractive and beautiful trait of all.
Odyssey: The Race for a Date
Things are beginning to look up for Chloe; Cole asks Chloe to the dance!  Her mother tells her another story about Odysseus.  This story is about Odysseus's "chase" for a wife and a man's need to chase a woman.
Odyssey: Cherished Friends
Chloe's mother tells one last story about Odysseus.  In this story, Odysseus shows appreciation for friendship.  Chloe learns about the importance of friendship and learns to appreciate her best friend Laura.  In the end, Chloe is completely satisfied with the state of her life.