LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Winner of Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024
Using the much-interpreted legend of Theseus and the Minotaur – a journey full of dangers and threat, as well as a search for a father as a basis Coelho then weaves around it the story of Theo – also on a journey to find his father.
Each is off on a maze-like quest to find their roots, their inheritance with each facing dangers and problems along the way. Not only is this an intricate mix of two stories with echoes of each other, but in places is given over to the reader to control the story arc by choosing which way Theseus would respond, much in the way as the ‘pick your adventure’ stories do.
It is heartening to see some of the choices to Theseus age old problems - and note the better responses chosen. Both of our main characters face choices, dilemmas, doubts, difficulties, and danger on their journeys but each responds in the most effective way for themselves! There are countless different poetic forms exhibited here – a sestina is even explained in one of the poems as if it were a lesson in Theo’s school.
Our current Children’s Laureate has created another powerful, enthralling story in verse form. Kate Milner has supported these with beautiful black and white illustrations ranging from pieces that look as if they may be ancient Greek illustrations to wonderfully detailed modern depictions. Once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down!
Tricia Adams
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About
The Boy Lost in the Maze Synopsis
In his new verse novel, Joseph Coelho brilliantly blends Greek myth with a 21st century quest.
In Ancient Greece Theseus makes a dangerous and courageous journey to find his father, finally meeting the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. While Theo, a modern-day teenage boy, finds himself on a maze-like quest to find his own father. Each story tells of a boy becoming a man and discovering what true manhood really means.
The path to self-discovery takes Theo through 'those thin spaces where myth, magic and reality combine'. Doubts, difficulties and dangers must be faced as Theo discovers the man he will become.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781913074333 |
| Publication date: |
6th October 2022 |
| Author: |
Joseph Coelho |
| Illustrator: |
Kate Milner |
| Publisher: |
Otter-Barry Books Ltd |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
320 pages |
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Press Reviews
Joseph Coelho Press Reviews
Powerful, playful and poignant in equal parts, 'The Boy Lost in the Maze' skilfully interweaves the myth of Theseus with the modern coming-of-age story of Theo. Every word is carefully wrought in these astonishing narrative poems which reward reading, re-reading and reflection. - Jake Hope
Author
About Joseph Coelho
Joseph Coelho is the Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022-2024, and an award-winning poet, playwright and writer. His first poetry collection, Werewolf Club Rules!, won the CLPE Children's Poetry Award in 2015, and he has been writing and performing ever since. His picture books include If All the World Were... illustrated by Allison Colpoys and Luna Loves Library Day illustrated by Fiona Lumbers. His poetry books for children include Overheard in a Tower Block illustrated by Kate Milner and A Year of Nature Poems illustrated by Kelly Louise Judd.
His ‘Story told in poems’, for age 12+, The Girl Who Became A Tree, was shortlisted for The 2021 Carnegie Medal and received a special mention from the Bologna Ragazzi Award 2021. His YA verse novel, The Boy Lost in the Maze, is longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Award for Writing 2024, has been chosen as an outstanding international book for The White Ravens collection 2023 and has also been nominated as an IBBY Honour Book for 2024.
He has written plays for the Polka Theatre, the Lyric, Hammersmith, and the Unicorn Theatre. He creates dynamic poetry theatre pieces for young people that he tours nationally. He also performs with the UK's top performance poetry organisation, Apples and Snakes, visiting venues across the UK. Joseph has been a guest poet in Cbeebies' Rhyme Rocket.
Originally from London, he now lives by the sea in Kent.
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