AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. AdLit.org is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, and is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and by the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.
Myths & Folktales
Heroes, villains, underdogs, pranksters, romance, betrayal, and intrigue — is it Mount Olympus or junior high school? Our list includes great books that introduce readers to the classic stories of the Greek gods, as well as less familiar tales from Native American, West African, and Asian traditions.
Why Leopard has Spots: Dan Stories from Liberia
Illustrated by: Ashley Bryan
Age Level: 9-12
Have you ever wondered why the leopard has spots or why a spider has a big butt? This collection of six stories uses African folklore and storytelling techniques to explain natural phenomena.
Troll Fell
Age Level: 9-12
This book, first in the Toll Trilogy, features Peer, a young orphan boy forced to live with his evil uncles. Just as Peer begins to adjust to his new life, he discovers that his uncles plan to sell him to a troll king! His new friend Hilde is there to help, but then Peer's uncles decide to kidnap Hilde’s twin siblings instead and sell them! Now, Peer and Hilde must rescue the twins and get rid of the evil uncles!
Summerland
Age Level: 9-12
In a story that combines baseball and folklore, 11-year-old Ethan, an aspiring baseball player, is recruited by a mysterious elderly scout to help preserve a fairy population from destruction by all manner of predators. Ethan and his friends battle goblins, shape-shifters and sea monsters in a series of high-stakes challenges.
Quicksilver
Age Level: 12-14
Hermes, the winged messenger of the Greek gods, is known for his playfulness and thievery. In this tale, he narrates his own humorous escapades and encounters with many other characters in Greek mythology.
The Orphan Girl and Other Stories: West African Folk Tales
Age Level: 12-14
This collection includes a variety of myths and lore from regions in West Africa. The title story features Chika and her evil stepmother, who forces Chika to get water from the river on the most ghostly day of the year.
Oh My Gods! A Look-it-Up Guide to the Gods of Mythology
Age Level: 12-14
Do you know who Poseidon is, or what he would look like? Maybe you want to know what a Greek god would say if he could get online and blog. If so, check out this teen-friendly guide to all of the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology.
Native American Stories (Myths and Legends)
Age Level: 12-14
This book is a collection of Native American myths and legends that span cultures and geographic regions.
Mythology for Teens: Classic Myths for Today's World
Age Level: 14-16
Teachers, have you ever wondered how mythology can relate to your student's life or how to make mythology relevant in the classroom? This book combines reader's theater, activities, and discussion questions to invigorate the teaching of ancient myths.
The Monkey King's Daughter
Age Level: 9-12
Fourteen-year-old Meilin is just trying to get through high school with all the problems that go along with it: boys, boring teachers, and too much homework. As if that wasn't enough, Meilin finds out that she is the daughter of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from Asian mythology. Now how's she going to survive high school?
The Magical Adventures of Pretty Pearl
Age Level: 12-14
Craving knowledge about mankind, Pretty Pearl, a god-child who lives on a mountain-top in Africa, transforms herself into a human and stows away on a slave ship bound for America. What will she discover about the true nature of people?
Aphrodite's Blessings: Love Stories from the Greek Myths
Age Level: 14-16
Greek goddesses experience the highs and lows of romance and heartbreak in dramatic ways that teens can relate to. This book relates the stories from the goddesses’ points of view.
The Lightning Thief
Age Level: 9-12
Percy Jackson is a 21st century son of the ancient Greek god Poseidon on the biggest adventure of his young life — a quest to find out who stole Zeus's lightening bolt! Together with his trusted friends, Percy travels through the United States, battling monsters and hunting the elusive title character.
The Sea of Trolls
Age Level: 12-14
Jack, a young apprentice still learning how to control his magic powers, is kidnapped, along with his sister, by an evil king and half-troll queen. When Jack casts a spell on the queen and makes her hair fall out, his punishment is to sail across the dangerous Sea of Trolls; otherwise, his sister will be sacrificed. Along his route, Jack encounters many strange and imposing creatures. But will he be able to save his sister?
