Beowulf

by Kody Chamberlain and Stefan Petrucha

Book Overview

For a dozen years, the monster Grendel has haunted the Danish kingdom ruled over by Hrothgar. In the night, Grendel stalks the land, slaughtering all he meets. When food is scarce, he raids the king's high hall, devouring warriors and hauling others back to his dank home in the marshes. Word of the monster spreads far and wide, and from across the sea comes the warrior Beowulf to battle the monster and free the Danes from Grendel's reign of terror...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061343900
• ISBN13: 9780061343902
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Beowulf

My school teaches an adapted version of Beowulf in 7th grade. My advanced students in ESOL often have to read the book with their regular English class. It is very difficult for them as they aren't fluent in English and difficult for me to explain. This graphic novel is good reading and can help me with the the other book. I was glad to find this and hope more graphic novels come out in this fashion. Thanks!

Graphic SF Reader

A kid's graphic novel, it seems, with a bit of a simplified version of the Grendel story. The art you could perhaps call somewhere between Miller and Oeming and Mignola, sort of darkly lit. Beowulf himself looks quite a bit like how Oliver Queen is drawn, and when later on he is actually in green armor, it can be a little disconcerting. However, the tale of Beowulf vs Grendel, then Grendel's mum, and the Dragon is not too bad at all, and older readers won't mind it either. 3.5 out of 5

Beowulf 101

For those who haven't read the 3183 lines of the epic poem*, and are unlikely to do so in the near future (or before the end of time), here's a précis version of the classic tale - with pictures! Retold by Stefan Petrucha for the 8 - 12 age group, this graphic novel captures the basic elements of the story, keeping it short and simple, yet age appropriately creepy and gory. 1. Grendel, descendant of Cain, really hates human beings having fun and praising God. 2. He becomes the ultimate party pooper 3. Beowulf sails in with the tide and some good men to come to the aid of the party. 4. Beowulf and Grendel arm wrestle to the death 5. Beowulf faces the wrath of Grendel's mum (who looks nothing like Angelina Jolie in the novel, but strangely, not unlike Joan Rivers.) 6. Fifty years later, he has dragon trouble 7. Wyrd! This historical superhero may have come back into fashion with a little help from Robert Zemeckis and Angelina Jolie, but unlike the recent movie, this version is one that Angie won't mind her kids having a peek at. Recommended for young adults who need to take their literature medicine with a spoonful of sugar. Amanda Richards, January 10, 2008 *puts up hand and waves

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Based on the classic story, this graphic novel tells the tale of Beowulf, an epic hero who bravely faces the most fearsome creatures. In the kingdom of Hrothgar, men are being slaughtered by a godless creature. Grendel has proven that he cannot be defeated, even by the king's greatest warriors. He comes in the night and feeds on the men. After twelve years, Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar. He defeats Grendel and earns himself fame. But his battle is far from over, for another monster has come to avenge Grendel--his mother. BEOWULF is one of the most popular tales of heroism, being passed from generation to generation. Here it is presented in stark simplicity. The tale of brutal danger and the raw battles for life are coupled with sharp, dark images. The effect is a novel that is as ominous as the story itself. Reviewed by: JodiG.