#3 in The Trials of Apollo Series
The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze
on Goodreads (99,735)
What’s inside...
Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, has been turned into a human teenager named Lester Papadopoulos by his father, Zeus, as punishment. Now he must navigate his way through a deadly maze in California's Labyrinth to find and rescue the third Oracle from an evil Roman emperor.
Character compass
Discussion points
How do you think Apollo felt when he was transformed into a mortal? What would you do if you were in his place?
What qualities do you admire in Meg and why? Can you relate to her in any way?
The book explores themes of friendship and bravery. What does true bravery mean to you?
Characters in the book face many challenges. Which challenge was the most interesting to you and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before diving into question discussions, summarize key events from the book to refresh your child’s memory and ensure they understand the plot.
Encourage your child to express their opinions and feelings about the characters and events, validating their thoughts before sharing your own.
Connect book themes to real-life situations your child may face, such as dealing with fears or helping a friend in need, to make the discussion more relatable.
Praise your child’s insights and contributions to the discussion to encourage a deeper engagement and enthusiasm about reading and discussing books.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Apollo, the protagonist, faces numerous challenges and setbacks in his quest. Despite being a fallen god, he shows considerable resilience throughout the series.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of persisting through difficulties and not giving up when facing their own challenges, whether in school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork and friendship
Explanation: Apollo learns to rely on and trust his friends as they face various challenges together. This collaboration is crucial for their survival and success.
Real-World Application: This lesson emphasizes the importance of cooperation and building strong, supportive relationships. Children can apply this by working collaboratively in group projects or supporting their peers in team sports.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout the book, Apollo reflects on his past arrogance and mistakes as a god, learning humility and gaining perspective from his human experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning, not just failures. This can encourage them to adopt a growth mindset, which can help them navigate through their educational journey and personal development.
Example Lesson: Courage to confront fears
Explanation: In the story, characters face their fears by confronting dangerous situations and making tough decisions. This is seen through Apollo's courageous acts despite his mortal limitations.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the lesson of bravery in adverse conditions, encouraging them to face their fears in various situations such as trying new activities or standing up against bullying.
Example Lesson: The importance of compassion and empathy
Explanation: Apollo starts to understand and empathize with human struggles, which significantly changes his view and character throughout the series.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children recognize the importance of understanding others' feelings and situations, fostering an inclusive and caring attitude towards classmates and friends.