The Quest for the Golden Fleas (Zeus the Mighty #1)

by Crispin Boyer (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Zeus the Mighty

Greek mythology meets cute talking animals in this first adventure in a hilarious new middle grade fiction series, starring Zeus the mighty ... king of the gods ... ruler of minions ... hamster, and the crazy crew of critters of the Mount Olympus Pet Center.

Welcome to the Mount Olympus Pet Center, which sits high on a hill in Athens ... Georgia. The owner, Artie, has a soft spot for animals that need a forever home, and she has rescued a menagerie of creatures, each named after a powerful god or goddess. But these animals aren't just pets with cool names ... Meet Zeus, a tiny hamster with a mighty appetite for power. His cage sits atop a high shelf so he can watch the other pets from above. But being king of the gods is a tough job: You've got to issue orders and decrees, make sure to stay in tip-top shape by running on your exercise wheel, and most importantly, lead your minions on epic journeys. And Zeus the Mighty has one giant task in front of him: Find the "Golden Fleas" and solidify his position before the other gods rebel.

Get ready to laugh, cheer, and learn with this adorable and quirky cast of characters in their unforgettable first adventure -- a reimagining of the tale of the Golden Fleece.

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Kirkus Reviews

A closing section includes further information on the source story and Greek myths in general. A treat for proto–Percy Jackson fans. 

School Library Journal

At the Mount Olympus Pet Center, a toilet is the raging whirlpool monster Charybdis, a lettuce-munching cricket is the goddess Demeter, and a six-inch tall bombastic hamster is none other than Zeus the Mighty. Fueled by a mythology podcast called "Greeking Out," all of the pet center's residents imagine themselves as Greek gods and goddesses in this silly slapstick adventure. This playful twist on the myth of "Jason and the Argonauts" is full of wordplay, misunderstandings, and physical comedy. The episodic plot is a little convoluted, and the characters are one-note, although Zeus eventually learns the book's central lesson about friendship. VERDICT This humorous title is recommended for fans of mythology-based series fiction like Lucy Coats's "Beasts of Olympus" or Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams's "Heroes in Training."-Molly Saunders, Manatee County Public Libraries, Bradenton, FL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"This book will be a hit with fans of mythology...Readers will appreciate the overlay of this mythological world atop the real-life operations of a pet rescue center and how Boyer manages to fit all the plot pieces together perfectly. Great characters, action, adventure, and lots of humor will make this title a popular read in elementary libraries." — School Library Connection

"A center for rescued pets becomes the stage for adventures of literally mythical import in this series opener ... lots of comical byplay ... A treat for proto-Percy Jackson fans." Kirkus Reviews

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Crispin Boyer
CRISPIN BOYER is the author of dozens of National Geographic Kids books and magazine articles. His specialty is making learning fun and humorous.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781426335471
Lexile Measure
680
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Under the Stars
Publication date
October 20, 2019
Series
Zeus the Mighty
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002180 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Mice, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, etc.
JUV002190 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Pets
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV022020 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, & Fables | Greek & Roman
Library of Congress categories
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