Sea this book!

POSEIDON:EARTH SHAKER by George O'Connor. First Second,2013.

O'Connor's Olympians series of GNs about the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus moves on to the god of the sea, Poseidon. Odysseus, the Minotaur, Theseus: the actions of an angry Poseidon are beautifully rendered in shades of green and blue with wild strokes of black. Poseidon himself is the narrator, giving readers deeper insights into the tormented mind of a brother jealous of what he thinks is the short straw in terms of kingdoms.

Sailor twain

SAILOR TWAIN by Mark Siegel. First Second, 2012.

A luxury boat travels down the Hudson River. Aboard, Sailor Twain, a would be writer, is in for a surprise when he finds a harpooned mermaid and pulls her to safety. As he nurses her back to health, he falls under her siren spell. Mythology blends effortlessly with history and mechanics as Twain explores how the mermaid came to be harpooned. Done entirely in charcoal illustrations that evoke both the time and mood and thin veil of mystery that shades all that occurs in the graphic novel, Siegel's story is as entrancing as the song of the siren. <631>

new in nonfiction

ANCIENT EGYPT: TALES OF GODS AND PHARAOHS by Marcia Williams (Candlewick Press 2011)uses a picture book/ GN format to tell the stories of Tut, Thutmose, Cleopatra, and other important gods and leaders of the ancient Egyptians. Illustrations move from double page spreads to GN panels and serve to emphasize the importance of the action being described in the text. This book would make a great accompaniment to Rick Riordan's book based on Egyptian mythology. <26>

building vocabulary

GIFTS FROM THE GODS: ANCIENT WORDS AND WISDOM FROM GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY by Lise Lunge-Larsen with illustrations by Gareth Hinds (Houghton Mifflin 2011) accomplishes two things in its span of pages. It recounts some of the tales of Greek and Roman myths while to explains the derivation of words that come from their 9the gods) names and events from the old stories. Tantalize, siren, genius, fury, opening Pandora's box, and much more are included in this book. After students have explored this book, ask them to use their newly developed skills when they turn to Rick Riordan's books to see if they can catch some other references to words and phrases from mythologies. <22>

Mythical GN

HADES by George O'Connor (First Second, January 2012) is the latest entry in his series of graphic novels about Greek gods and goddesses. While Hades is the title character, this GN also tells of Perspehone the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Perspehone is abducted by Hades who hopes she will fall in love with him and remain in the Underworld. O'Connor's simple retelling of the stories of the gods and goddesses brings mythology to life for readers. He is able to deftly weave together the various threads that connect the gods and goddesses of Olympus. <625>

hell hath no fury like a goddess scorned

Hail HERA, THE GODDESS AND HER GLORY from George O'Connor (First Second Books 2011). This GN about Hera and Heracles brings to life so many of the myths that surround both Hera and Heracles in a way no textbook ever has. Part of THE OLYMPIANS series, this full color GN opens with Zeus pursuing the lovely Hera and asking her to be his queen. She eventually consents but only when Zeus agrees to marry her as well. And, of course, that is when the trouble all begins. Zeus is unfaithful and Hera will exact her revenge for his indiscretions. The GN, while faithful to the myths we know and love, reads more like an action/adventure story with duels and monsters, and happy endings, too. I cannot imagine a better way to bring readers to a love of the myths of the gods and goddesses than this series. O'Connor's website: www.olympiansrule.com is also a treasure trove for readers and for teachers looking to bring a love of mythology to kids. <369>