Customer Comments

I loved this book! Some of the story is told by pages of words, like most novels. Other pages tell a portion of the story through wonderful black and white drawings. I think this book will appeal to students from grades 5 through 8. While it is an easy read, the unique presentation of the story allows the book to appeal to students with a large range of reading ability. It is different and can pull in the interest of higher and lower level readers. The artwork pulls in the students who love to draw. The inferences required by the story will be easy for most. As you near the end of the story you realize the presentation of the story relates to the story line. Be sure to read the introduction. It establishes the setting. (Some students always skip introductions.) I initially passed over this book when I was selecting new material. The thickness of the book made it appear too demanding for some of my students; the cover and title just did not appeal to me. I am glad I gave it a second look; it is one of my favorite books.

All of my students, males and females, have enjoyed this book. They get involved in the story and seem to forget that they are learning about epic poetry, allusion, flashback, and other skills. Presentation of material is appropriate for middle school. It blends with the English Language Arts and Social Studies Curriculum.