The Iliad - Classroom Edition

Author

Homer (adapted by Frances Bianchi & Mara Seronda)

Publisher

 Ollada de Tinta

Edition

First Edition – Expected late January 2026

Preview materials for educational evaluation

Format

Paperback (Black & White Interior), Illustrated

Approx. 150–170 pages (final length pending) 

ISBN

To be assigned

Language

American English (US spelling and style)

Recommended Age Range

Ages 9–14

• This age range reflects the flexible instructional design of the Classroom Edition and its suitability for different levels of reading maturity.

• Younger readers (ages 9–11)
  The adaptation offers clear literary language, short chapters, and structured comprehension activities. At these ages, the text is especially effective with teacher guidance, shared reading, and scaffolded discussion.

• Older readers (ages 12–14)
  The same text supports more independent reading and deeper engagement with character motivations, ethical dilemmas, leadership, responsibility, sacrifice, and the consequences of human choices.

Recommended Grade Levels (USA)

Grades 5–8
Ideal for Grades 6–7

• Suitable as a core middle school text or as a supported instructional text in upper elementary classrooms.

Reading Level & Accessibility

Middle Grade / Classroom Adaptation

• Clear, literary, age-appropriate prose

• Short, manageable chapters

Designed for:

• Guided reading

• Independent reading

• Shared classroom reading

• ESL and bilingual learners

Instructional Design & Pedagogical Value

This Classroom Edition is specifically structured to support instructional use and classroom planning.

Each chapter includes:

• Understand the Story – comprehension questions

• Think and Discuss – guided discussion and critical thinking

• Create – writing and creative response activities

• Did You Know? – cultural, historical, and mythological context

• Vocabulary Support – highlighted key terms with student-friendly definitions and application tasks

In addition, each instructional block is introduced with a Teacher Introduction, designed to support lesson planning and instructional decision-making. These sections include:

• Educational purpose

• Key themes

• Learning objectives

• Skills developed

• Suggested classroom approach

• Differentiation and accessibility guidance

• Essential questions

A dedicated section, Beyond the Story – A Classroom Resource, compiles all chapter-based materials for instructional planning, review, and flexible classroom use.

Educational Value

This Classroom Edition presents an accessible retelling of The Iliad for young readers, preserving the core events, characters, and conflicts of Homer’s epic while offering a coherent and complete narrative arc of the Trojan War.

While grounded in the original poem, the adaptation expands beyond individual episodes to help students understand the broader structure of the conflict, the relationships between key characters, and the progression of events that shape the war from its origins to its conclusion.

Through the narrative, students engage with:

• A foundational work of classical literature

• The central events, characters, and moral tensions of the Trojan War

• Narrative conflict within the epic tradition, including themes of honor, leadership, fate, and responsibility

This literary foundation supports both guided classroom study and independent reading, providing a solid base for discussion, analysis, and cross-curricular learning.

Curriculum Applications

Suitable for:

• Middle School ELA curriculum

• Classical literature adaptations

• Greek mythology units

• Cross-curricular instruction (ELA + History / Social Studies)

• SEL-informed discussions (leadership, responsibility, consequences, perseverance)

Educational Focus Areas

• Epic narrative structure

• Character development and leadership ethics

• Cause and consequence

• Moral decision-making

• Loyalty, identity, and responsibility

• Cultural foundations of Western literature

Standards Alignment

This Classroom Edition is designed to support key Common Core State Standards
(Reading Literature, Speaking & Listening, and Language) across Grades 5–8.

Content Considerations

• Mythological violence and danger (non-graphic)

• Themes of loss, sacrifice, temptation, pride, and consequence

• No explicit content

• Age-appropriate treatment throughout

Supplementary Materials

• Built-in classroom activities

• Vocabulary scaffolding

• Discussion prompts and creative extensions

• Evaluation and preview PDFs available for schools and educators

Classification Summary

• Genre: Classroom literary adaptation / Classical mythology

• Audience: Middle School students

• Primary Use: Classroom instruction

• Secondary Use: Independent reading, homeschooling

• Adoption-Friendly: Yes

• Teacher-Ready: Yes