Hello Challenge Readers! Welcome to our February challenge!

This month we’re going to take a few steps back in time and visit Ancient Greece. Our main title this month is: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller.

Achilles, “the best of all the Greeks,” son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful— irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, who has been exiled from his homeland of Phthia after an act of shocking violence to be raised in the shadow of King Peleus. Brought together by chance, Achilles and Patroclus forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods’ wrath and become steadfast companions.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice. (from the publisher)

We will have a variety of books to choose from on display at each library location, or you can pick any other title. The books range from retellings of tales of Greek gods (I highly recommend Circe also by Madeline Miller), and novels of Ancient Greek history.