The Othernauts – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Myths, legends, adventures, retelling, self-doubt.
Children’s book title: The Othernauts.
Children’s author: Clare Pollard.
Children’s illustrator: Macha Yao.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9781835873366.
Recommended for children aged: 8-13.
First published: Paperback June 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: understanding the Greek gods and heroes of legend through the relatable experiences of children.
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Our review:
Phoebe is thirteen years old. She lives on Lemnos with her stepmother, who she really doesn’t like, and she is SO bored! Her island is rocky and sulphurous, with only women and girls living there! Long story short, this has to do with Aphrodite, sweaty armpits, and a very angry queen who ordered all men and boys be killed! Before that happened Phoebe had a twin brother, now she doesn’t. Her dad was away fishing when the killing started – perhaps wisely, he never came back!
Phoebe’s goal in life is to leave the island behind, find her heroine, Medea, and become a witch. Easy! The first part actually is because, with storm clouds gathering, the Argo comes to Lemnos to seek a safe harbour. Stowing away is simple, the rest of what happens isn’t! Jason and his Argonauts are looking for the famous golden rug, or fleece, and battle through a variety of quests to achieve their goal.
The Othernauts are formed when Perry, a trainee shapeshifter who was already aboard the ship, and Cora, an untrained siren, who really can’t sing a note, and stowed away the day after Phoebe, join forces. Jason won’t let them be part of the dangerous quests so instead they tag along behind and help when they can. Phoebe, apparently, has talents as a seer which isn’t as exciting as being a witch but at least it stops them throwing her overboard!
Once the quest is over, Cora has found her mum, and Phoebe has decided meeting your heroines is a very bad idea. She and Perry (whose life she actually saved!) sail off into the sunset, on the lookout for even more adventures.
Our verdict:
There are many stories based on the Greek myths and legends of Jason, the Argonauts, and their adventures. The Othernauts is a fun retelling which focuses on Phoebe, whose life before the beginning of the story has had very little good in it. Stowing away on the Argo, who can actually talk, is her first step towards a better future. She is full of self-doubt, keeps her feelings locked up tight and knows anyone she gets close to disappears.
The Argo and its Argonauts gradually help her to loosen up a little and she realises she can have friends and do exciting things but maybe not as a witch! The story is told by an Oracle and is fast-moving with in-jokes and surprises throughout. The main storyline is obviously well known and doesn’t deviate but the addition of the three children gives it extra depth and means it is engaging for all readers including those who know what should be happening.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Phoebe is very bored and unhappy before the Argo arrives. Do you think she was feeling brave or desperate when she decided to stow away aboard the ship?
- Have you read about Jason and the Argonauts before? If not, does this book make you more interested in reading the original story?
- The Greek gods seem quite bloodthirsty and powerful. Do you think that maybe they were bored too?
- The Sirens are famous for luring sailors to their deaths with their beautiful singing. Did you find Cora’s lack of talent and the way the Oracle redacted the sounds funny?
- Phoebe meets Medea, her heroine, but it doesn’t go well. Which of your heroes would you like to meet the most? Do you think you would be cool and calm or over-excited and suddenly have nothing to say?
- Did you guess who Perry was, or were you as surprised as Phoebe?
- Medea stops the stars, which means the Argonauts don’t know where they are going. These days we have all sorts of ways to find new destinations. Which would be the most useful for Phoebe and her friends?
Many thanks to Piccadilly Press for the review copy.
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