The Odyssey - by Gillian Cross

About the Book

"Odysseus ... faces storm and shipwreck, terrifying monsters and the fury of the sea god Poseidon as he makes his epic journey home from the Trojan War [in this retelling of Homer's story]"--Dust jacket flap.

Book Synopsis

A Wall Street Journal 20 Best Children's Books of the Past 20 Years Selection

A bold re-envisioning of The Odyssey, told with simplicity and style -- perfect for fans of graphic retellings and mythology enthusiasts alike.

Odysseus faces storm and shipwreck, a terrifying man-eating Cyclops, the alluring but deadly Sirens, and the fury of the sea-god Poseidon as he makes his ten-year journey home from the Trojan War. While Odysseus struggles to make it home, his wife, Penelope, fights a different kind of battle as her palace is invaded by forceful, greedy men who tell her that Odysseus is dead and she must choose a new husband. Will Odysseus reach her in time? Homer's epic, age-old story is powerfully told by Carnegie Medalist Gillian Cross and stunningly illustrated by rising talent Neil Packer.

Review Quotes

Lively and accessible.
--The New York Times

Every image seems to have been created with unhurried care; it's a quiet but monumental piece of work.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Interesting and imaginative.
--School Library Journal

Offers an accessible introduction to an important work whose allusions stretch far and wide; fans of graphic novels, mythology, and really great storytelling will be glad to have this in their repertoire.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Many will be drawn to its intensity and originality. A welcome new retelling of the epic poem.
--Booklist

Cross has given us an excellent resource. In her adaptation, Homer's story comes alive...Packer's artwork is effective in making the story a contemporary adventure as well as a story from ancient times. We need more books like this to introduce students to classic literature as we incorporate the Common Core into our curriculum.
--Library Media Connection

Gorgeous.
--The Huffington Post

While Cross and Packer are not asking us to replace Homer on the bookshelf, their addition is certainly worthy of sharing shelf space.
--New York Daily News online

Dynamic language, rapid-fire pacing, spine-tingling suspense, and a sense of foreboding that looms larger than a Cyclops characterize Gillian Cross's rendition of THE ODYSSEY. Both accessible and mesmerizing, the text emphasizes moments of heady hubris and relates even the most unsettling events with gusto...Appearing on almost every spread, Neil Packer's masterfully rendered paintings depict, interpret, and vivify the text, adding a spectacular visual dimension to the storytelling.
--Curriculum Connections

About the Author

Gillian Cross is the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Wolf. She lives in England.

Neil Packer is the illustrator of several classic books, including One Hundred Years of Solitude. His illustrations for The Odyssey took many years -- "Nearly as long as Odysseus's journey!" he says. He lives in London.