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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4)

Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians)Title: Hades: Lord of the Dead (Olympians #4) 
Author and Illustrator: George O'Connor
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: Today! Happy book birthday!
Genre/Format: Traditional Literature- Mythology/Graphic Novel
Summary: In O'Connor's fourth installment of the Olympians graphic novel series starts with the journey into the Underworld after death but reveals itself to be about the myth of Persephone's abduction and the consequences that follow such.  This graphic novel is not only about Hades, but about Demeter and Persephone as well. 
What I Think: Persephone's myth is one of my favorites.  I love how clever the Greeks were to have such an elaborate tale to account for the seasons that we all experience.  And saying that, this graphic novel is by far my favorite version of the story. 


I am such a fan of George O'Connor's style of art and his storytelling capabilities as I've loved the two other Olympian graphic novels that I've read and I love this one as well.  The way that O'Connor takes the myth, stays true to it, but adds his own interpretation of aspects is what makes his graphic novels unique.  For example, the thought that went into why he made Persephone a little dark in this story is so thought provoking.  


Also, as I've said in my reviews of Zeus and Athena, I love the G(r)eek notes, drawings, bibliography, recommended reading, discussion questions and author's notes at the end of all of his graphic novels- they make them accessible for not only children & teens, but teachers to use in their classroom.  O'Connor also has an amazing website http://olympiansrule.com/ that has activities, information about the gods, and information for teachers. 
Read Together: Grades 4 to 10
Read Alone: Grades 6 to 12
Read With: George O'Connor's other Olympian Graphic Novels, Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan, Oh.My.Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
From the recommended reading list at the end of the graphic novel: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaires, Persephone by Sally Pomme Clayton and Virginia Lee, Persephone the Phony by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams, Mythology by Edith Hamilton, Abandon by Meg Cabot, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony by Robert Calasso
Snatch of Text: 
"It is ironic, I suppose. So many mortals will spend the whole of their brief time above in search of the tiniest portion of this wealth.  Eventually, they all will come into my domain, where all the riches in the world are to be found. Yet they are worthless to them." (p. 39)
Mentor Text for: Mythology, Paneling, Dialogue, Inferring, Making Connections
Writing Prompts: After reading a different myth, take the main events of the myth and create your very own comic strip. 
Topics Covered: Mythology, Death, Love, Consequences

*Thank you to NetGalley and First Second for allowing me access to the e-galley version of this book*
 

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