ADAMS TWP — A Mars Elementary School fourth-grader's odyssey into the world of books has earned her a second consecutive gold medal.

Sarah Phillips of Adams Township has earned another perfect score on the National Mythology Exam, a test sponsored annually by the American Classical League.

The exam, which is offered to more than 10,000 students in elementary and middle schools across the nation, contains 40 multiple-choice questions on Greek and Roman mythology.

Just as she did last year, Sarah aced the test and received a gold medal for her efforts.

“I got a really good book on Greek myths and read it, and it kind of interested me,” Sarah said of her start into the world of mythology.

Sarah, whose other interests include piano and horseback riding, said she likes mythology because the subject matter is unlike typical stories read by those in her age group.

Matthew and Stephanie Phillips say their daughter has always been a voracious reader, and read the entire Harry Potter series at age 6.

“She sleeps with about 10 books in her bed,” Stephanie Phillips said. “I'll say ‘Isn't it uncomfortable sleeping?'”

Matthew Phillips said because Sarah has always read above her age level, he and his wife at first insisted on prereading the books Sarah brought home to ensure the content was appropriate for a fourth-grader.

“Eventually, I just gave up,” said Phillips, whose wife now does all the prereading. “I don't read nearly as fast as her.”

The Phillipses, who are also the parents of fifth-grader Daniel, said they began searching for ways to foster Sarah's love of mythology once they realized her passion for the subject.

They found the American Classical League, which operates from the campus of Miami University of Ohio.

Geri Dutra, an administrative secretary for the league, said more than 10,000 elementary and middle school students register to take the test each year. She said in 2011, 862 students in fourth grade took the test, and Sarah was one of 197 students to score 100 percent.

“It instills interest in younger students in the ancient ways of mythology and the value of them,” Dutra said of the test's purpose.

April Whorf, a gifted support teacher at Mars Elementary and Centennial schools, said she has seen increased interest in mythology since the 2010 publication of the “Red Pyramid” series by author Rick Riordan.

Whorf said while the Phillips family found and pursued the mythology exam, the school was happy to support the effort. She is thrilled at her student's success.

“It's absolutely fabulous,” said Whorf, who served as proctor when Sarah took the test at school. “I hope more students take the opportunity.”

Stephanie Phillips said to challenge herself, Sarah plans to add middle school-level questions to next year's exam.

“It's been a wonderful experience for her,” said Stephanie Phillips. “Her dad and I are so proud of her. She's a passionate little girl, and always has been.”

Sarah hopes to become a geologist, animal keeper, scientist or inventor when she grows up. Regarding the gold medal, she was thrilled to repeat this year.

“I was just really excited, because it's pretty big that I won it two years in a row,” she said.

More information on the National Mythology Exam is available at www.aclclassics.org.