Corydon and the Island of Monsters

Corydon and the Island of Monsters is the first instalment of the Corydon Trilogy, penned by Tobias Druitt; a pseudonym for a mother-son writing combination. It was published in the United Kingdom by Simon & Schuster in 2005, and in the United States by A. A. Knopf in 2006, and distributed by Random House. According to WorldCat, almost 500 libraries have copies of the book.[1] It appears on numerous library and school reading lists.[2][3][4][5]

First edition (UK)

Corydon and the Island of Monsters has been translated into Czech as Corydon a ostrov příšer (Millennium Publishing, 2008) and into French as Corydon et l'île aux monstres (Tourbillon, 2009).

Plot summary

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The book draws on classical Greek mythology and follows Corydon, an outcast boy, neglected because of his goat foot.

Reception

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Kirkus Reviews found that "Reading this witty, profoundly sapient take on the old tales will leave readers impatient for the sequels."[6] Common Sense Media called it "a good introduction to some famous stories, and it can be a treat for parents, too." but stated that "The pacing is erratic, as is the tone .... Even more annoying are references to events that haven't happened yet." yet "the story is surprisingly moving, especially a mother-son relationship."[7]

References

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  1. ^ http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61881017&referer=brief_results [bare URL]
  2. ^ "Readalikes for Percy Jackson and the Olympians". www.saclibrary.org/Kids/Great-Reads-For-Kids/10-Fairy-Tales-to-Read/. Sacramento Public Library. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Upper Key Stage Two Reading List" (PDF). www.weststleonardsprimaryacademy.org.uk. West St Leonards Primary Academy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Stories from Greek & Roman mythology". www.wppl.org. Winter Park Public Library. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Tales of Myth and Legend at the Pleasanton Public Library". www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=24056. Pleasanton Public Library. June 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  6. ^ "Corydon and the Island of Monsters". www.kirkusreviews.com. Kirkus Media LLC. 1 January 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Corydon & the Island of Monsters: The Corydon Trilogy, Book 1". www.commonsensemedia.org. Common Sense Media Inc. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2015.