Just So Stories

Allen & Unwin

ISBN:9781864482959

Imprint:A & U Children

RRP: $17.99

I was never a big fan of the Olympics but became completely disenchanted following the selection of Beijing as a host, for so many reasons- and now, for just as many the fact that Brisbane will host them and cause endless misery to so many people. So I boycott them.

That being out of the way, there is no doubt the Games make for rich fodder across curriculum areas for any classroom but particularly for upper primary. And though it had been a few years since I’d read it, I wanted to re-visit this sensational book after including it in my pre-emptive Olympics post a few weeks back.

My local library didn’t have a copy (shame on them!) so I bought one and have just devoured it over the past two nights. I know one friend is reading it to her Year 7s currently and agrees with me on its richness and its enduring appeal – particularly to those kiddos who are often a bit less enthusiastic about reading. This novel is not just historical fiction (with a great deal of information woven throughout) but pure adventure, high drama and jaw-dropping facts.

When plague strikes ancient Athens, a city already reeling due to the prolonged war with Sparta, young Nicasylus is sent to supposed safety across the sea to his uncle. His step-father, esteemed goldsmith Gorgias, believes this to be best course of action for his boy. Nic is already sad because of his much-loved older sister, Artemis, being married off to a horrible old man so it grieves him to be sent away so far. But there is no safe refuge for Nic.

His ship is attacked by pirates and while most of the crew is slaughtered, he is captured and sold into slavery. It is only by chance that the kind captain, Gellius, has been left presumed dead by the cuthroats. These two had bonded as fellow Athenians and talked of the Olympics, and Gellius’ goal to be a pankratiast in the next Games.

While Nic endures two hard years as a goatherd, along the way learning skills and toughening up, Gellius is saved by some kind villagers and nursed back to health. He is resolved to not only resume his dream of Olympic honour but vows to find out Nic’s fate.

When Nic is viciously attacked by a fellow slave, intent on killing the boy, he is saved by an older man who has become his quiet friend. The two escape and after many travails it is Nic alone who finds himself in Olympia. The joy of the reunion with Gellius is wonderful, but little do the pair know that the six-toed pirate who attacked their ship is also intent on winning the olive wreath for Pankration, and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

It is SO good. It’s one of those books (others I can think of are Hatchet and Island of the Blue Dolphins) which have kiddos begging for ‘one more chapter’ when you are serial reading it.

The Olympics are still considered an honour of course, but in Ancient Greece, that honour was not just about championship but about homage to the gods and glory for one’s city-state.

While there are no publisher produced teaching notes, I did find some reasonably priced resources on TPT, there are some on Twinkl for subscribers, and also on Teaching Books. But a little searching will find you other supporting material such as this from the IOC – Pankration.

It’s not too late to capitalise on your kiddos’ interest in the Paris games and give them some high-quality literature, and decided thrills into the bargain. Available from the publisher as well as other suppliers (I got mine from Boomerang Books quite quickly). It’s a huge 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 for this one.