Wings of Olympus

Format:

Book

Title:

Wings of Olympus

Author:

George, K. (Kallie), 1983- author

ISBN:

9780062741523

Edition:

First Edition.

Publication:

New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2019]

Physical Description:

204 pages ; 22 cm

Summary:

High on the slopes of mighty Mount Olympus, among the sun-splashed meadows and sparkling waters, glide the winged horses of the ancient gods. Here up high is normally no place for a lost, parentless girl like Pippa. But once every hundred years, the gods and goddesses descend to the mortal realm to choose jockeys for their winged horse race--and Pippa is one of the lucky children chosen to ride. With her undersized, impetuous winged steed, Zephyr, by her side, Pippa has to confront the greatest challenge of her life: achieving victory in a race across the sky. No one expects Pippa and Zephyr to win, or even finish, this death-defying race. A poor orphan who's spent her life working in stables, Pippa doesn't seem to belong in the world of the gods. And while she loves Zephyr with all her heart, he's smaller than the other winged horses racing. But if Pippa and Zephyr don't find a way to win, the gods will separate them--forever.-- Publisher's description.

Reading Level:

Ages 8-12.

Title Subject:

Mythical creatures -- Juvenile fiction.

Mythical creatures. (OCoLC)fst01787865

Subject(s):

Animals, Mythical -- Juvenile fiction.

Orphans -- Juvenile fiction.

Horses -- Juvenile fiction.

Horse racing -- Juvenile fiction.

Mythical creatures -- Fiction.

Animals, Mythical -- Fiction.

Orphans -- Fiction.

Horses -- Fiction.

Horse racing -- Fiction.

Genre:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Silver Falls Library	JF GEORGE v.1	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Salem Main Library	J George, K.	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Take flight with Pippa and her winged horse in this heartfelt two-book series about a young girl who must win the hardest race in ancient Greece in order to stay with her closest friend.

This new series from acclaimed author Kallie George is perfect for horse lovers and fans of Greek myths alike!

With her undersized, impetuous winged steed, Zephyr, by her side, Pippa has to confront the greatest challenge of her life: achieving victory in a race across the sky.

No one expects Pippa and Zephyr to win, or even finish, this death-defying race. A poor orphan who's spent her life working in stables, Pippa doesn't seem to belong in the world of the gods. And while she loves Zephyr with all her heart, he's smaller than the other winged horses racing. But if Pippa and Zephyr don't find a way to win, the gods will separate them--forever.

To stay with Zephyr, Pippa will have to work harder, train longer, and dare more bravely than her competition. In a race filled with petty, jealous gods and goddesses and a host of ruthless riders, Pippa must prove that love is greater than might.

This stirring adventure series by beloved author Kallie George is perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson books and The War That Saved My Life.

"I can't wait to see what happens in the next one! If you have younger kids (or are even just a fan of middle grader books yourself) I would absolutely recommend this book." --A Bibliophiles Book Blog

Reviews (4)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-6-Life in ancient Greece isn't easy for orphaned Pippa, but she can withstand loneliness and neglect if she gets to work with her beloved horses. One morning, after falling asleep by the roadside, she is shocked to wake up on Mount Olympus. Pippa has been selected to ride in the once-a-century Winged Horse Race. Manipulated by powerful gods and goddesses, Pippa and the other child riders must use all of their wits to make it through their training, the fantastical occurrences on Mount Olympus, and the final thrilling zip to the finish. The moral lesson of the denouement is a little blurred, as positive outcomes arise partially out of deception, but the overall importance of making sacrifices for those you love comes through. Pippa's lasting bond with her winged steed, Zephyr, and the hard-earned connection with her fellow riders show that one can find family in unexpected places. Pencil drawings help readers visualize unfamiliar mythological characters, such as the Greek Fates. The story will spark interest in further exploration of ancient Greek mythology. VERDICT A high-flying adventure to supplement middle grade fiction collections.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

Selected by Aphrodite to race on her behalf, orphan Pippa bonds with her winged horse, Zephyr. A visit to the Fates convinces Pippa they can't win, however, and Ares threatens to slaughter Zephyr if they lose. Can working with the other riders change Pippa's destiny? The lightly handled plot is low on a real sense of menace, but the Olympian setting holds together nicely. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

A foundling and a winged horse compete in a race planned by the Greek gods.Pippa, nearly 12, loses her job in an Athenian stable after running off to follow a horse's wing she saw in the sky. Could it have been Nikomedes, the flying horse ridden by Zeus? That night she falls asleep beneath a bush only to wake on Mount Olympus, the heavenly home of the gods, having been chosen by Aphrodite to ride her stallion Zephyr in a once-a-century race. The winning horse will become Zeus' next mount; the winning rider, a demigod. Zephyr's an unlikely champion, being both undersized and fidgety. This book is billed as the first in a series and bears many of the hallmarks of mediocre series fiction: shallow characters, contrived emotions, and lots of exclamation points. Despite her sad backstory, Pippa never inspires sympathy. Stereotypical Greek gods float in and out of the story without enough background to anchor them; the setting is vague despite lots of Greek words; and the plot doesn't hold narrative tension. There aren't serious consequences for losing the race, so it's hard to care whether or not Pippa wins. The horses are multicolored; the riders seem to be white, and the gods appear also to be default white. With a first book this flat, it's hard to envision a series. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

In George's latest, a foundling competes in Mount Olympus' Winged Horse Race. Pippa doesn't know why her parents abandoned her as a baby, but at least her talent with horses allows her to survive on the streets of Athens. When she is chosen to compete in the Winged Horse Race the contest that decides Zeus' next steed Pippa is transported to Olympus, where the gods and goddesses aren't above cheating to ensure their horse wins. Neither are the other riders, who want the chance to stay in Olympus forever. Pippa never wants to leave her beloved steed, Zephyr, but according to the Fates, he has no chance of winning. Will Pippa cheat to stay in Olympus with him? The winning premise should draw readers who are into horses and Greek mythology, although Olympus is a gentler place than Pippa fears, and her rule breaking never leads to the harsh punishments she is warned about. Still, Pippa's choices should prompt readers to ponder how love, fate, and trust determine our actions. A fun series starter.--Mariko Turk Copyright 2018 Booklist