Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Norse people, used mythology to define their cultures, enlighten themselves about the surrounding world, and teach important life lessons within their societies. This study guide collection showcases a variety of mythological texts, from epic poems (Homer’s The Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid) to modern interpretations of mythology (Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood), demonstrating our timeless connection to a rich mythological past. To learn more about this genre, please visit our Folklore and Mythology Resource Guide.
Publication year -1
Genre Scripture, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Life/Time: The Past
Tags Mythology, Religion / Spirituality, History: Middle Eastern
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Relationships: Family, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, History: European, Mythology, History: World, Fantasy, Romance
The Song of Achilles, author Madeline Miller’s bestselling novel, retells the events of Homer’s Iliad. Published in 2012, the book reimagines the relationship between ancient Greek Trojan war heroes Achilles and Patroclus. Narrated in the first person by Patroclus, the narrative explores themes central to ancient Greek mythology, notably the immutability of fate and the pursuit of glory.The novel begins with Patroclus narrating his birth and early childhood. Son of King Menoitius, the undersized and... Read The Song of Achilles Summary
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Teams, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Natural World: Objects, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Fathers, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Mythology, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure
The Son of Neptune is the second novel in Rick Riordan’s The Heroes of Olympus series. Released in 2011, this novel continues the story begun in The Lost Hero, following Percy Jackson as he stumbles into the Roman demigod camp, Camp Jupiter, after losing his memory and eight months of his life. At the camp, Percy meets Hazel, daughter of Pluto, and Frank, son of Mars. Together, Percy, Hazel, and Frank are charged with a... Read The Son of Neptune Summary
Publication year 2018
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Disability, Identity: Indigenous, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology
Publication year 1903
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Masculinity, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Fairy Tale / Folklore
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, was originally published in 1903. Pyle’s Book 1s part of the Arthurian romance genre, which begins with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s introduction of the Arthur character in The History of the Kings of Britain, written in the twelfth century. The Arthurian, or chivalric, romance genre includes texts from many different eras and in many different languages. Pyle’s novel offers an American perspective... Read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights Summary
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Flora/plants, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, LGBTQ, Depression / Suicide, Mental Illness, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Psychology, Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Publication year 2015
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Identity: Disability, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, Children's Literature
The Sword of Summer (2015) is the first book in Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard modern fantasy series for young readers. The book takes place in the same universe as Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (2005-2009) and is followed by The Hammer of Thor. The Sword of Summer won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Middle Grade and Children’s (2015) and has appeared on both the New York Times... Read The Sword of Summer Summary
Publication year 2003
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Mythology
Publication year 2002
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender
Tags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Mythology, Classic Fiction, Gender / Feminism
The Táin, or the Táin Bó Cuailnge, is an Irish epic that is part of the larger Ulster epic cycle set in a pre-Christian heroic age. Thomas Kinsella’s 1968 translation, which is referred to in this guide, is based on two main sources: a 12th-century partial manuscript and a late 14th-century partial manuscript, both compiled by Christian monks in Irish monasteries. The Celtic source material for The Táin is far more ancient and would have... Read The Tain Summary
Publication year 1996
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Society: Politics & Government
Tags History: World, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mythology
Publication year 2011
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology
Publication year 2007
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Relationships, Arts / Culture, Military / War, American Literature, Children's Literature
The Titan’s Curse (2007) is the third installment in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, following The Lightning Thief (2005) and The Sea of Monsters (2006) and preceding The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008) and The Last Olympian (2009). The series centers around the adventures of Percy Jackson, a boy who is the son of the Greek god of the sea Poseidon and a mortal woman named Sally Jackson. Percy learns that he... Read The Titan's Curse Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Relationships: Fathers, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, LGBTQ
Publication year 1985
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Tags Lyric Poem, Mythology, Confessional, Love / Sexuality, History: U.S., American Literature, Fantasy, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1794
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Lyric Poem, Science / Nature, Romanticism / Romantic Period, Mythology, Animals, Education, Education, British Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1995
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction
Publication year 1969
Genre Anthology/Varied Collection, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Indigenous, Identity: Language, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Tags Fairy Tale / Folklore, Narrative / Epic Poem, History: U.S., American Literature, Mythology, Education, Education, Classic Fiction
The Way to Rainy Mountain by Navarre Scott Momaday was first published in 1969. Momaday is a member of the Kiowa nation, a PhD-holding literary scholar, and a prominent American writer largely credited with initiating the Native American Literary Renaissance. On his father’s side, Momaday traces his family to Guipahgo (Lone Wolf), the last Principal Chief of the Kiowas, and this lineage features prominently in the book’s storytelling. The book is a work of creative... Read The Way to Rainy Mountain Summary
Publication year 1987
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Community, Natural World: Animals, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Fate
Tags Mythology, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Animals, Magical Realism, Fantasy
The Whale Rider is a 1987 novel by New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. A film adaptation was made in 2002 that would go on to win several awards. Throughout the novel, Ihimaera juxtaposes the migration of a herd of whales with the Maori tribe’s search for a male heir. The Whale Rider comprises four major sections, as well as a prologue, epilogue, and glossary. Each section of text is named after one of the seasons... Read The Whale Rider Summary
Publication year 1948
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Literature
Tags Lyric Poem, Mythology, Religion / Spirituality, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Anthropology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Philosophy, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction