Circe follows the tale of the Greek goddess Circe that students are introduced to in the Odyssey. Circe is born into a family that doesn’t particularly love her because Helios, her father, foretells in her prophecy that she will marry a mortal man. This strikes her different than her immediate family members, and thus she suffers an unloved life. She then learns a life lesson from her uncle, Prometheus, teaching her that “not all gods need be the same.” Later, she is exiled to Aiaia and ventures on a journey of self-discovery, learning her identity that shapes her into Circe. She learns valuable lessons and interacts with other famous Greek characters throughout the course of her story.
I would certainly recommend this book because it teaches valuable lessons about self-discovery and the significance of identity. Circe shares a relatable story to children who feel different than their family members or kids who have to meet the expectations of their parents. By not living up to her parents, Circe’s story becomes inspiring as she becomes a very developed character despite her harsh and unloved past. The concluding message at the end of the book is also very heartwarming, as it connects to a plot point in the beginning in addition to solidifying her identity. The plot was very interesting, limiting the amount of fillers and allowing readers to gain the most they could out of the book. This differentiates Circe from other books by effectively provides countless examples of lessons for the reader to learn.
-Ella
