Aeneid for Boys and Girls: A Retelling of Virgil's Epic for Young Readers

A clear and engaging retelling of Virgil's epic, presenting the journey of Aeneas in a form accessible to younger readers. In The Aeneid for Boys and Girls, Alfred J. Church adapts the central narrative of Rome's foundational myth, following Aeneas from the fall of Troy through his long wanderings to the shores of Italy, where destiny compels him to establish the roots of a new civilisation.

Church's retelling preserves the structure and major episodes of the original-storm, exile, prophecy, and conflict-while rendering them in straightforward prose suited to a broad audience. The story moves from the destruction of Troy to encounters with figures such as Dido and the Sibyl, culminating in the struggles that secure Aeneas's place in Italy. Throughout, themes of duty, endurance, and divine purpose remain central.

Part of a longstanding tradition of classical adaptations for younger readers, this volume offers an accessible entry point into Virgil's Aeneid, maintaining narrative coherence while introducing key elements of classical literature and mythological history.