The Epic Tale of the Trojan War for young reades
Homer (adapted by Frances Bianchi & Mara Seronda)
Ollada de Tinta
First Edition – Expected late January 2026
Preview materials for educational evaluation
Paperback (Black & White Interior), Illustrated
Approx. 150–170 pages (final length pending)
To be assigned
American English (US spelling and style)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
Epic narrative structure
Character development and leadership ethics
Cause and consequence
Moral decision-making
Loyalty, identity, and responsibility
Cultural foundations of Western literature
This Classroom Edition is designed to support key Common Core State Standards
(Reading Literature, Speaking & Listening, and Language) across Grades 5–8.
Mythological violence and danger (non-graphic)
Themes of loss, sacrifice, temptation, pride, and consequence
No explicit content
Age-appropriate treatment throughout
Built-in classroom activities
Vocabulary scaffolding
Discussion prompts and creative extensions
Evaluation and preview PDFs available for schools and educators
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