Books with author Patrick Bowman

Two-and-a half millennia after it was created, Homer's Odyssey remains one of humanity's most memorable adventure stories. In this re-creation of Homer's classic as a young adult novel, we see the aftermath of the Trojan War through the eyes of Alexi, a fifteen-year-old Trojan boy. Orphaned by the war and enslaved by Odysseus himself, Alexi has a very different view of the conquering heroes of legend. Despite a simmering anger towards his captors, Alexi gradually develops a grudging respect for them. As the Greeks fight off the angry Cicones, weather a storm that pushes them far beyond charted waters, and nearly succumb to the blandishments of the bewitching Lotus-eaters, he realizes that they are not the demons they were said to be, but people like himself.

The second volume in the trilogy that revisions Homer’s Odyssey is once again told from the viewpoint of Alexi, the young Trojan boy. Captured by Odysseus after the fall of Troy, Alexi is forced to accompany the Greeks on their sea journey home to Ithaca. Cursed by the Sea God contains many of the iconic adventures of the homeward journey, including the encounter with the keeper of the winds, the descent into Hades, the fateful visit to the cannibal Laestrygonians, the encounters with Circe the sorceress, the songs of the Sirens, and the deadly passage between the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Having earned his master’s respect in saving him from the Sirens, Alexi loses it all though mischance, and his own circumstances take a turn for the worse as he is given away to the most brutal soldier on the ship. It takes all of Alexi’s skill and determination just to stay alive. The first volume in the trilogy, Torn from Troy, was nominated for the 2012 OLA Red Maple Award and has proved to be a best seller.

Arrow through the Axes concludes the “Odyssey of a Slave” trilogy that began with the Red Maple–nominated Torn from Troy, retelling Homer’s Odyssey. The slave Alexi, now free of his Greek captors, infiltrates the Greek strongholds of the Bronze Age in search of his sister. In so doing he participates in the stories of Orestes, son of Agamemnon, as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder, and of Telemachus, son of Odysseus, who lands on Ithaca, the home island of Odysseus, just in time to witness the arrival of a mysterious stranger. As Alexi comes to understand the damage that the Trojan War has visited upon its victors, both he and the reader are forced to confront an unpleasant truth, while Alexi must decide where his allegiance really lies. Re-casting the Odyssey as a YA adventure, this trilogy brings ancient mythology to life in a way that traditional retellings cannot. We see what life would have been like for Bronze-Age warriors as Bowman interweaves adventure, ritual and historical detail into a realistic and compelling narrative. Readers who have experienced pop mythology, and now want to dive deeper, will find Arrow through the Axes especially satisfying, but all readers will enjoy this powerful excursion into the classic mythology that shaped western culture.

Fiction. Young Adult Novel. Two-and-a half millennia after it was created, Homer's Odyssey remains one of humanity's most memorable adventure stories. In this re-creation of Homer's classic as a young adult novel, we see the aftermath of the Trojan War through the eyes of Alexi, a fifteen-year-old Trojan boy. Orphaned by the war and enslaved by Odysseus himself, Alexi has a very different view of the conquering heroes of legend. Despite a simmering anger towards his captors, Alexi gradually develops a grudging respect for them. As the Greeks fight off the angry Cicones, weather a storm that pushes them far beyond charted waters, and nearly succumb to the blandishments of the bewitching Lotus-eaters, he realizes that they are not the demons they were said to be, but people like himself.

Fiction. The second volume in the trilogy that revisions Homer's Odyssey is once again told from the viewpoint of Alexi, the young Trojan boy. Captured by Odysseus after the fall of Troy, Alexi is forced to accompany the Greeks on their sea journey home to Ithaca. Cursed by the Sea God contains many of the iconic adventures of the homeward journey, including the encounter with the keeper of the winds, the descent into Hades, the fateful visit to the cannibal Laestrygonians, the encounters with Circe the sorceress, the songs of the Sirens, and the deadly passage between the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis. Having earned his master's respect in saving him from the Sirens, Alexi loses it all though mischance, and his own circumstances take a turn for the worse as he is given away to the most brutal soldier on the ship. It takes all of Alexi's skill and determination just to stay alive. The first volume in the trilogy, TORN FROM TROY, was nominated for the 2012 OLA Red Maple Award and has proved to be a best-seller.

Fiction. Young Adult. ARROW THROUGH THE AXES concludes the "Odyssey of a Slave" trilogy that began with the Red Maple-nominated TORN FROM TROY, retelling Homer's Odyssey. The slave Alexi, now free of his Greek captors, infiltrates the Greek strongholds of the Bronze Age in search of his sister. In so doing he participates in the stories of Orestes, son of Agamemnon, as he seeks revenge for his father's murder, and of Telemachus, son of Odysseus, who lands on Ithaca, the home island of Odysseus, just in time to witness the arrival of a mysterious stranger. As Alexi comes to understand the damage that the Trojan War has visited upon its victors, both he and the reader are forced to confront an unpleasant truth, while Alexi must decide where his allegiance really lies. Re-casting the Odyssey as a YA adventure, this trilogy brings ancient mythology to life in a way that traditional retellings cannot. We see what life would have been like for Bronze-Age warriors as Bowman interweaves adventure, ritual and historical detail into a realistic and compelling narrative. Readers who have experienced pop mythology, and now want to dive deeper, will find ARROW THROUGH THE AXES especially satisfying, but all readers will enjoy this powerful excursion into the classic mythology that shaped western culture.

How to Draw Wild Animals for kids: Step by Step Drawing Guide for Kids to Draw more than70 wild animals in Easy StepsHow to draw:AntBatBearBeeBeetleBirdBuffaloBugBull ButterflyCamelCatCaterpillarChickenCowCrayfishCricketDeerDinosaurDogDoveDragonflyDuckElephantElkFishFrogGiraffeGoatHenHippoHorseHummingbirdIguanaJellyfishKangarooKoalaLadybirdLionMantisMonkeyMouseNautilusOctopusOwlPandaPenguinPigPigeonPterodactylQuailQuetzalRabbitRacoonRamRhinoRoosterScorpioSheepSkunkSlugSnakeSquirrelSwallowTigerTriceratopsTurkeyTurtleUnicornVultureWolfYakZebra

STEWIE GRIFFIN MEETS GRUMPY CAT IN A BOOK FOR CAT LOVERS OF ANY AGE! He's free! The Amazing Hamweenie, legend in his own mind, hero to millions of adoring fans who have yet to meet him, has finally escaped the evil clutches of the little girl who showers him with love and stuffs him full of delectable treats. Where will our tortured star go? To the circus, of course! The spotlight of center ring beckons him -- the elephants, monkeys, and tigers in desperate need of a leader. Hamweenie will gift them with his presence! So why is it that his greatness goes unappreciated? Does no one recognize a true star when they see one? In this companion to The Amazing Hamweenie, Patty Bowman brings a touch of Edward Gorey, a dash of Stewie Griffin, a pinch of Grumpy Cat, and even a shake of Maru to the secret mind of one adorable pet cat. Praise for The Amazing Hamweenie Escapes "This is a follow-up to The Amazing Hamweenie, and Bowman again captures perfectly the superior attitude and maddening actions displayed by so many cats. Children will chuckle at the disconnect between Hamweenie’s words and the action depicted in the illustrations, which suggest a lighter, more colorful version of Edward Gorey’s finely detailed drawings. For fans of Hamweenie’s first adventure, and perfect for children who appreciate Garfield the cat." —School Library Journal

Released to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the end of apartheid, this is an updated edition of a best-selling work of political analysis. Patrick Bond, a former adviser to the ANC, investigates how groups such as the ANC went from being a force of liberation to a vehicle now perceived as serving the economic interests of an elite few. This edition includes new analysis looking at the 2008 internal coup against Thabo Mbeki, the subsequent economic crisis and the massacre of miners at Marikana in 2012. Bond also assesses the historiography of the transition written since 2000 from nationalist, liberal and radical perspectives, and replies to critics of his work, both from liberal and nationalist perspectives.This is an essential text on post-Apartheid South Africa, which will be vital reading for all who study or have an interest in this part of the continent, and in social change and neoliberal public policy more generally.

A truly unique debut about a precocious cat with BIG dreams Dressed in his signature top hat and black cape, Hamweenie is poised to earn his place among the most famous celebrities and daredevils of all time. From the stage to the red carpet, the skies to the sea, Hamweenie believes, without a doubt, that he will be the greatest star the world has ever seen. The horrors of reality, alas, befall him: a beautiful apartment, a loving little girl, his every need fulfilled to excess. His treats are simply too delicious. His pillows? Beyond luxurious. Such torture! Hamweenie must escape! But with his wretchedly wonderful owner appearing at every turn, will he ever make it out of the apartment? From debut author and illustrator Patty Bowman comes a picture book about the secret life of cats and about dreaming big--no matter what your species.