Iris, Messenger

by Sarah Deming

Dreamer Iris Greenwold doesn't care much for the real world. It's generally pretty disappointing: divorced parents, unsympathetic peers, and a middle school that is hell. But then, on her twelfth birthday, Iris mysteriously receives a copy of Bulfinch's Mythology and discovers that the entire pantheon of gods are living in the greater Philadelphia area. Poseidon's running a clam shack, Aphrodite's doing makeovers, Apollo's playing tenor sax. . . ...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152058230
• ISBN13: 9780152058234
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Iris and Deming are Winners

This book is a great tool for bringing the personalities of classical mythology to life for young readers. It's an easy, fun, well-styled read, and I have the feeling some kids will revisit the book when they're older, at which point they'll discover elements of sophistication that may have been beyond their youth. That's a good thing. I agree that the cover art is strange; it's comic book feel is belied by the novel's rich content. Iris, Messenger is a winner.

Iris is a Gem

Iris Messenger is a fantastic book. It was a page turner from the beginning top the end! I love Greek gods and goddesses and this book had them in a present day setting. The book continued to WOW! me from beginning to end! LOVE IT!

A Fun Read!

Yes, it's another Greek pantheon novel (no doubt attempting to capitalize on the success of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series). It's distinctive, though, because the voice is so good. Witty, light; this book moves fast. The plot is a little slight and episodic, but the told stories (several deities relate their back stories) are wonderful. And the dynamic between Iris and her soybean-ologist mom is terrific. One thing that bothered me is the cover (and I know the author has no control over this; her publisher could have done better by her). The girl, Iris, is the protagonist, yet the cover features a character who, while somewhat important to the plot, is peripheral. And male. Iris protags, why not have her as the central actor on the cover? Even so, I'll definitely look for more from this author, with the hopes that she takes on something more substantial next time.

Delightful!

Iris, Messenger is a wonderful book for young and old alike! I thoroughly enjoyed the humanity she imbued into the Greek Gods as well as all the splashes of Philly in the book! A definite must-have for your library. Can't wait for her next book:)

Where are they now?

In "Iris, Messenger" we meet wonderfully flawed gods and goddesses in suburban east coast America. This short novel is a wonderful vehicle to get reacquainted with Greek mythology. Sarah Deming's clever retelling of ancient stories enable me to recall the myths much more than I ever did in my 6th grade English class. Iris suffers the Sturm and Drang of many modern preadolescents and adolescents. This book effectively weaves 21st century concerns of how we search for meaning in our lives with stories that have held up for eons. When I reached the end of the book I realized I had been hoping for redemption of these mythic characters. The book's conclusion reminded me that transformation occurs in quieter, individual ways. This book is written for "10 and up" and this does not convey what a gem this novel is for all ages. Highly recommended for everyone you know who is attracted to mythology and great storytelling.