The Odyssey

Gr 8 Up—This handsome book blends a well-paced rendition of Homer's ancient tale with fine-art-style illustrations. The narrative is divided into chapters ("The Giant in the Cave" or "Stranded on Calypso's Island"), clearly conveying the sequence of Odysseus's twist-turning journey. Succinct sentences, vivid descriptions, and dynamic language keep the action unfolding rapidly while also emphasizing fateful moments of hubris (for example, the hero's getaway from the Cyclops's cave and subsequent taunting of the creature is summed up: "It would have been the perfect escape-if only Odysseus had kept his mouth shut"). Ranging from small insets to double-page renderings, Packer's gouache, pen, and wash illustrations appear on almost every spread. While many details hark back to this epic work's origins (costumes, textiles, outlines reminiscent of classical urns, etc.), the art has a contemporary aura, showcasing unusual perspectives and distorted size relationships, exaggerated physical characteristics, and modern references (Hermes wears a track suit). Flowing cutaways reveal faces of the souls nestled in the underworld, or gracefully posed Sirens surrounded by the skeletons of those who were attracted to their songs. The men transformed into animals by Circe are shown as pigs with the shapes of profiled faces incorporated into the mottled colors of their coats. Though interesting and imaginative, the visual interpretations are sophisticated and stylized, perhaps making the book best suited to readers with a more mature taste in artwork or an adult audience.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal