Who Let the Gods Out by Maz Evans



📙📙📙📙 out of 5  
Age Range: KS2
Themes:  Adventure, Bravery, Friendship, Child Carers, History, Myths and Legends, and Greek Gods.
Publisher: Chicken House
Published: 2017
ISBN Number: 978-1910655412
Break Down: 367 pages of story. Broken down into 29 chapters - all around 11 to 18 pages in length. Each chapter has a small illustration on the beginning page and when you flick the pages, looking at the bottom you can see a little flick book style series of pictures of Pegasus, which are repeated approximately 6 times throughout. These are a nice touch. I also love the coloured edges to the pages which are orange with a white lightening bolt.  
Blurb: When Elliot wished upon a star, he didn't expect a constellation to crash into his dungheap.
Virgo thinks she's perfect. Elliot doesn't. Together they release Thanatos, evil Daemon of Death. Epic Fail.
They need the King of Gods and his noble steed. They get a chubby Zeus and his high horse Pegasus.
Are the Gods really ready to save the world? And is the world really ready for the Gods?
(Each section of this blurb is arranged next to pictures of the characters from the book, on the back cover.)

My thoughts: Another busy week with not quite as much reading time as I'd hoped, but have managed to read this one in just a week.

I loved the humour throughout the book and the completely modern twist the author has put on these characters, after all the Greek Gods are immortal - so where would they be now? Mostly the Gods have moved on with the times; Hermes owns a motorbike, is always attached to his iGod and uses words like "Bosh!" and " Boom", whilst Athene is a professor at Oxford.  I also love the use of of the constellations and the Greek Gods all in one books (the constellations form the Zodiac Council who, since the Olympians retirement, have run the immortal world - everything from traffic management to law enforcement). This is such a fab concept!
Incredibly funny as we see the world through the eyes of Virgo (who has never been to Earth before and is fascinated by everything). I love the humour in this book. As one adventure concludes the reader is left with questions about what might happen next. Very cleverly the author also ends the final chapter with a knock at the door and a shock reaction from the characters. Who's at the door? Who's side are they on? We will have to wait and find out in 'Simply the Quest' - Book 2 of the series) which is due for release in August 2017. I can't wait!!

Brief synopsis (for those teachers/parents who don't have time to read it - SPOILERS!):
  • Virgo a young and looking for adventure member of the Zodiac Council takes it upon herself to deliver a potion called 'Ambrosia to 'Prisoner 42' (Ambrosia is the potion that keeps immortals young and under the Zodiac Councils rules every immortal has the right to it).This is a job usual only reserved for the more experienced members of the council, however craving adventure Virgo takes it upon herself.
  • Meanwhile Elliot is an only child living with his mum on his grandparents farm which they have inherited. Elliot's mum seems unwell and often forgets things. Elliot hasn't told anyone out of fear of being separated from his mum and so cares for her single handily, juggling school and home. However money is running out and Elliot is not sure how much longer he can afford to keep their home. 
  • Their worlds collide when Virgo comes crashing to Earth. Eager to be rid of this bizarre stranger as soon as possible, Elliot agrees to help Virgo. Except it all goes wrong, Thanatos (prisoner 42) breaks free. 
  • Virgo and Elliot must find a way to recapture Thanatos and save both the mortal and immortal worlds at the same time. 
  • They resort to seeking the help of the Gods, after all Zeus was the one who captured Thanatos the first time round, how hard can it be?
  • With plenty of little challenges along the way, including stealing the crown jewels and an unexpected performance from the queen, we get to know Elliot and the Gods a little better.

Teaching ideas: 
  • Definitely one to link in if you are studying Ancient Greece. I like to try and link class novels to topics if I can, but feel it's only worth doing if it is a good book in its own right. It has to  add something to the topic, otherwise I break free and find something I know is engaging and the kids will love regardless of themes. For me this book ticks all the boxes!
  • The children could profile the characters.
  • One idea I saw recently and loved, which develops reading comprehension skills is 'Character traits' 
    1. The children choose a character,
    2. Decide on a trait they think their character has e.g caring, curiosity, adventurous, fearless, brave etc.
    3. Find evidence that supports this e.g. Even though the Gods told him not to go to London, Elliot could not sit back and watch when he found out they might be in danger. (This could also include a direct quote from the book). 
    4. Reference the page(s) on which they found the evidence.
This is a technique I will explain more later in my review of 'The Girl of Ink and Stars' as it was in a class reading this book where I first encountered it. 
  • Story writing - what adventures will the characters go on next? Carry on the story from where it ends.
    • Who is at the door?
    • What do they want?
    • Whose side will they be on?
  • The children could research the Greek Gods - what did the Greeks think they were like? Are they anything like the author describes in the book?
If you have more ideas please comment to share them with others. 

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