It's All Greek to Me

Time Warp Trio #8

by Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith (Illustrator)

As they are about to go on stage, Joe, Fred, and Sam are transported back to the time of Zeus and the other gods in Greek mythology, who, strangely enough, behave much as the characters in the trio's class play.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had been steadily working our way through the Time Warp Trio series and then we somehow took some long breaks. I'm not sure why, especially since this book has a Greek mythology theme and our girls have been gaga over that subject for the last year or so. I guess it's just a matter of too many books and not enough time to read them all. In any case, after a seven-month hiatus, I thought it was high-time that we start in again. I really missed this series. The stories are so silly and fun, but a little educational too. The boys always seem to get into danger and/or big trouble, but of course, they always find a way to get the book and get home.

This is an entertaining book about the Greek gods and goddesses. It is helpful to have a foundation on each of the gods and goddesses and some of the stories prior to reading this book as the story doesn't teach about them, but the characters and storyline are fun. For example, the story of Sisyphus is alluded to in one sentence, but not explained, and without already knowing that story, we wouldn't have understood the reference. Overall, it's a fairly typical book for the series, filled with silliness and a little dangerous drama. We really enjoyed reading it together and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The eighth installment sends Joe, Fred and Sam to Mount Olympus where they meet the Greek gods as well as some of their evil counterparts.

It's All Greek to Me brings me back to the three star rating. As with the predecessors, the book is a quick and entertaining read. However, having studied a bit of Greek Mythology, it would have been nice for the gods to be a little more in character rather than silly like the characters in the boys' play. However, this series is aimed toward young boys so I guess that has a little to do with why Sciezska wrote it this way.

I recommend this book and entire series to those who want something that is fun to read and can be completed in one sitting. Even if you only read a few chapters at a time, there is a lot of humor, sarcasm, joking, etc. that it makes for wonderfully lively reading with many opportunities for varying intonation and voices, if you are feeling particularly dramatic.

[Children's Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam, Fred and Joe accidentally open The Book while going over lines for the Greek Mythology play they are about to perform for school. Unfortunately, they get sucked into a real version of their play and find themselves in the presence of the Greek Gods and their enemies, the Monsters. For some reason there is something very familiar about Hera, but they can’t quite put their finger on it. When the Monsters bring Zeus’s stolen lightning bolts to Mt. Olympus, a full scale battle erupts and there is only one way to calm the masses. How do the Time Warp Trio get out of this mess and live to perform in their school play?

[Luann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this series to reluctant readers who are looking for something quick, but fun. I've had boys and girls read through the entire series. As an adult, I thought they were just okay. I do like that they introduce students to famous historical figures and time periods.

[Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is about 3 kids that go back in time in Greek days,and they can't come back. It was good because I like Greek mythology . I recommend this to lower school.

[A. Mickey Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Not really my cup of tea though.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when the gods defended mount Olympus. I didn't like this book because the monsters attacked mount Olympus.

[Libby Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Time Warp Trio are 3 elementary school aged boys who travel into history, books, or, in this case, mythology by means of a magic book. This series is a great one for 8-10 year old boys with its focus on humor and adventure, but it also appealed to my eight-year-old daughter. These books are a good way to get kids reading about history and other subjects while keeping them entertained. There are many more in the series that I'm sure my family will enjoy. I think we'll even try reading them to my three and four year olds.

[Dominic Tiberio · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy reading a good YA book alongside whatever else I am reading, this just wasn't one of them. It isn't terrible but the actual story itself is really thin and weak even for the target audience. Centering around Greek mythology and paralleling their own school play on the same topic it is a good introduction to the various Greek gods and mythological creatures but unfortunately the vast majority only end up having a line or two at most so a child never gets a real feel for them. It is an OK read, but not much more.

[Luisa Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scieszka provides excellent information about all of the Greek Gods and many of the monsters smoothly woven into this story starring Joe, Fred and Sam, the Timewarp Trio. The boys find themselves facing Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld after being transported from their school play about Greek Mythology by a magical book. They use their wits and humor to charm both monsters and gods alike. Great fun with wonderful details from Greek Mythology! Very easy, quick read.

[Vanessa Dargain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big HA , HA again . Which is the usual for this author .
This time the three time travelers are stuck on Mount Olympus telling jokes to the Greek gods and goddesses to stall from being killed . And as usual Joe's blue time warp book can't be found . The mount Olympus
group is attacked by Typhon , Cerberus , Medusa and Cyclops ; Sam plays his fake lyre from the school play to calm the beasts down . It works . . . momentarily .

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR 3.7 -- 1.0

Time Warp Trio #8
Definitely a keeper for the summer reading program!
This book is very creative and humorous.
Very illuminating as I do not know my Greek mythology very well. In the back is a list of who are the gods & goddess.

Website at back of book for Greek play is no longer valid
www.chucklebait.com

[Sammie Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time warp trio are sent back to Greece, and the gods are all characters from their play. Comical tale of how the boys must outsmart the gods and get back to their own time. Includes a small bit of ancient history facts weaved throughout. Good transitional chpater book for boy grades 3rd-6th.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Time Warp Trio It's all Greek to me, the guy have traveled back in time to Olympus. I liked this book because it was great short book. I would recommend this book to all people the are learning about Greek mythology.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and my students would too. I enjoyed how the characters used a book to blast to the past into ancient Greek times. The imagination used in this book really made it a fun book to read. I would have students read this book to practice comprehending what they read.

[Ashley Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because my students were asked to read it as part of their summer reading. I think this book is adorable! A wonderful introduction to Greek mythology! I can't wait to hear what my students think!

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didnt like it as much as the other time warp trio books...

[Sydney Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this because the description was funny. I really like this book. It has a lot of Greek mythology in a way that was easy to understand. I enjoyed the humor in the book as well.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Time Warp Trio is back for an Olympiad adventure. This wasn't the best TWT book my son and I have read, but it still was great fun.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is like a rip-off of Magic Tree House, but with the kids learning less.

[Phil Deschler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent "TimeWarp Trio" story.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a fan of these authors, but this book fell flat for me. I read it to my 7yo Calvin. It was overwhelming to try to teach him all about Greek mythology at once but he did pick up on a lot.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tori and I split duties on book 5 and 6 and then she read all of book 7 with Enzo, but I was back for book 8 (and therefore I imagine my reading of this in full will henceforth occur quite out of order). My understanding is Book 7 set a precedent for the boys to be jumping into books and stories now, and that continues with their foray into mythology coming through a school play about the Greek pantheon. Lots of fun moments of Joe outsmarting the gods with basic riddles and gimmicks. The gods were fine, and if kids know any of the more monstrous titans and creatures of myth, there’s plenty of that here too. I am curious if the frame with Joe’s mom and Uncle Joe will ever manifest meaningfully in the plot or not. Felt very diverted in this book.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story starts with the boys getting ready for their school play. Fred accidently knocks some of their stuff for the play into the magic book. They are transported to Mount Olympus, in the middle of a war between the god and goddesses and the monsters. The boys have to use their own talents and personalities to save themselves and get back to their school play.

[Karen Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe, Sam and Fred are about to act in the school play, which is all about the Greek Mithology. That is until out of the blue Ceberus, the REAL three headed dog that they have read about in books, is standing right in front of them.

Stranded in Mount Olympus, that have to find theor way back into the real world.

This was a short children's story. Very fun and fast paced.

[Elan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is excellent and funny and has a lot of cool tricks.
The part I especially liked was the time when they were doing tricks with the gods.
The book took me one hour in one day to pass the trials of Zeus.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the weaker ones, but I do like it had a different take on how the traveling happened.

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute adventure book for kids! The three boys travel to the Greek times. They interact with the Greek Gods and monsters.

[Khansaa Daba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to read with kids

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The time warp trio is a lot of fun! I loved these books as a kid, and I got the chance to re-read this one. The jokes are very appealing to the under-10 set.