The Iliad

Product Description A strikingly illustrated retelling of Homer’s classic from the team who brought us The Odyssey—Carnegie Medalist Gillian Cross and illustrator Neil Packer. After nine years of war between the Greeks and Trojans, tensions are heating up among men of the same faction as well as those on opposing sides. Two proud and powerful Greeks, King Agamemnon and legendary warrior Achilles, quarrel over a beautiful maiden, causing Achilles and his myrmidons to drop out of the fight. Meanwhile, fueled by rage and pride, honor and greed, soldiers on both sides—Odysseus and Patroclus for the Greeks, Paris and Hector for the Trojans—perform heroic deeds, attempting to end the war. Depicting their actions, and those of the gods they invoke, are vivid, stylistic illustrations reminiscent of Greek pottery, giving this large-format volume an extra measure of authenticity and appeal. From School Library Journal Gr 6–9—Cross presents a fluid and highly readable version of this celebrated tale. The text follows the essential plot structure of the classic work, beginning with Helen's capture and concluding with Hector's demise. The book includes an introduction to the Odyssey (retold by this creative team in 2012) and provides brief historical context of the Bronze Age eastern Mediterranean. A helpful spread groups the characters by their allegiance (Greek or Trojan). Cross conveys the various personalities of the story's many heroes and gods, including jealous Achilles and courageous Hector. The gods weave in and out of the text. Packer's dreamlike illustrations illuminate the stories with bold, solid colors, the stylized figures influenced by poses and perspectives from ancient pottery. Some white-on-black illustrations are particularly striking, exhibiting strong emotion and movement. Images range in size from one-quarter of a page to full spreads. In addition, the illustrations often include the names of characters and places in Greek script, a nice feature also found in ancient art. The text dramatizes the intense battle sequences, but there isn't much blood or gore. Central elements of the story, including death and hardship, are presented in a forthright manner. The content and the imagery are appropriate for readers who need something more serious than sanitized versions but who might be a few years away from more mature-themed retellings, such as Gareth Hinds's The Odyssey (Candlewick, 2010). VERDICT A beautiful, fluid, and action-packed retelling of a timeless classic.—Jeffrey Meyer, Mt. Pleasant Public Library, IA Review The content and the imagery are appropriate for readers who need something more serious than sanitized versions but who might be a few years away from more mature-themed retellings...A beautiful, fluid, and action-packed retelling of a timeless classic. —School Library Journal (starred review) Neil Packer’s mesmeric illustrations work here—as they did in his 2012 collaboration with Ms. Cross on “The Odyssey”—to heighten our sense of both the antiquity and immediacy of the Trojan War. That capricious gods would send divine mists or false dreams to affect human battles seems a distant thing; that men fight, sulk and bluster is as true today as it was 3,000 years ago. Commendably, Ms. Cross minimizes the saga’s gore without losing its force, ferocity or emotional power. —The Wall Street Journal An eye- catching introduction to the classic story. —Booklist The narrative of the Trojan War will appeal to readers who want to know more about the ancient Greek gods and heroes...Cartoons throughout are detailed and stylized in an earthy palette reminiscent of scenes incised on ancient Greek stoneware. —School Library Connection With lucid prose and admirable pacing, this handsomely designed followup to Cross’ adaptation of The Odyssey (BCCB 11/12) fills in the story for readers who may only be familiar with the names of Helen of Troy, Achilles, Apollo, etc. ... Young readers struggling to make sense