THE ODYSSEY, a graphic novel by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography

Hinds, Gareth.  2010.  The Odyssey.  Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.  ISBN: 978-0-7636-4268-6

Plot Summary

Gareth Hinds recreates the ancient tale of Odysseus’ twenty-year journey home after the Trojan War retold in graphic novel format. 

Critical Analysis

Many professionals in the field of publishing, education, and/or library science can have a tendency to disregard graphic novels as less worthy than traditional forms of literature.  To those naysayers I would say, please read this book.  The Odyssey is the ancient tale of Odysseus, Greek hero of the Trojan War and, to his great misfortune, blasphemer of Poseidon.  Beset with multiple obstacles and years of delay, Odysseus fights to make his way home as men back in his homeland of Ithaca scheme to usurp his throne and family.  

Hinds relates this adventurous fantasy tale with a keen eye to keeping the feel of Homer’s original.  There is no 21^st century sound to his dialogue.  He cites particular translators of Homer’s original Greek-language tale for their “balance of poetry and readability” (unnumbered back material notes).  In the graphic novel format, dialogue is crucial, and Hinds has kept Homer’s voice while relating a story that is more easily understood for younger readers.  For example, when one of the Ithacan suitors for Penelope’s hand brushes off the pleas of Odysseus disguised as a beggar, he replies sharply, “Good gods, what evil wind blew in this pest?  Get away from me!” (180).  This is certainly not the colloquial language of modern day life and is more authentic to the stylistic feel of the original text.

With rich colors and vibrant movement, Hinds’ watercolor illustrations bring Odysseus’ tale to life in a breathtaking way.  Some of the more spectacular scenes include his capture and subsequent defeat of Polyphemus (using fiery reds and oranges and arranged in a tight, oppressive way), and his journey to the Land of the Dead (depicted with ashen grays and withered apparitions).  But his artistry is equally displayed in more poignant scenes, such as Odysseus’ reunion with his wife and son that even brings Athena to tears.  And, as stated in his notes, Hinds has gone to great lengths to paint as realistic a portrait as he could of Bronze Age Greek life with realistic depictions of homes, weapons, dress, and landscape.

Oftentimes, adolescent readers can become overwhelmed in the elaborate language and poetic arrangements of classical literature and drama.  What makes this written art so beautiful is also that which makes it more difficult for the modern reader to understand.  Younger readers can sometimes misinterpret plot development hiding within the spectacular art of language.  I don’t believe that our original literary pieces should be abandoned.  But these classic pieces possess literary motifs, archetypes, and traditions with which all students should be familiar, and it would be a shame for them to miss out on this when such wonderful adaptations exist today.

Awards and Review Excerpts 

• Booklist: “The mythic trials have seldom felt more grueling or genuine…affording a chance to see how an archetypal story can function so powerfully at both the realistic and the stylized ends of the artistic spectrum.”
• Kirkus: “Don’t confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish. Big, bold, beautiful.
• School Library Journal: “This adaptation goes far above and beyond the ‘highlights’ coverage that other versions…provide.”

Connections

• In groups, have students choose another great character from literature and have them create their own graphic novel adaptation of his/her story.  Their products can be as simple or as detailed in terms of their artwork as they choose as long as the story is complete.  Students could choose to do an abridged version of a whole story or just one character’s experience within a story (for example, just the story of Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Dill’s experience from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird). 
• Have students read excerpts from Homer’s original version of The Odyssey while reading this adaptation.  Have students compare and contrast the two versions.
• Create a Reader’s Theater depicting either the defeat of the cyclops (lots of action to portray) or the trap laid by Circe (complete with men turning into animals).

Personal Reflections

This was my first reading of a graphic novel of this sort, and I was very impressed.  Before this my only real experience with this medium was from childhood Archie comic books!  My local library was woefully devoid of much choice in this medium, so I purchased this copy myself and am happy to now have it in my personal library.  I hope to read some of Hinds’ Shakespeare graphic novel adaptations this summer.

SAVVY, by Ingrid Law

Bibliography

Law, Ingrid.  2008.  Savvy (audiobook).  Read by Lily Blau.  New York: Penguin Audio.  ISBN13: 978-0-14-314348-2

Plot Summary

Twelve year old Mississippi “Mibs” Beaumont sets out on an adventure with siblings and friends after believing that her special “savvy” will heal her comatose father.  

Critical Analysis

Everyone in Mibs’ family (with the exception of her father) has a special secret.  Whether it’s her brother’s ability to manipulate water (from swimming pools to hurricanes) or her mother’s ability to do everything perfect (even when she fails, she does so “perfectly”), Mibs cannot wait to find out what her “savvy” is, what makes her special.  This “savvy” reveals itself on each family member’s 13^th birthday, and the vast majority of the story takes place on that day and the day after.  Mibs discovers that her “savvy” is a telepathic ability which reveals itself in a very physical kind of way.  

In this low fantasy adventure, Law has created many likable characters with depth and empathy.  Mibs is a very likeable heroine with which middle school aged readers will readily identify.  She is the target of mocking girls, can be awkward and unsure of herself, and is a bit clumsy maneuvering through the first developments of a young suitor’s affections.  Law’s characters display a depth, for no one in the story is completely as they might seem.  For example, the sixteen year old Bobbi who, like many sixteen year old girls, is a bit rebellious and acts like she knows it all.  But just beneath the surface, she is more sentimental and less confident than she lets on.  These nuances of character are exhibited through Mibs’ “savvy” and thus seamlessly woven through the development of the story.  While still an imaginative tale, Law’s story is set in the real world of Kansas and Nebraska.  She paints a very dull and dismal setting which contrasts dramatically with the family’s fascinating secret.  Using creative and elegant imagery, Law illustrates how Mibs’ “savvy” changes her as she matures.  Knowing what other people think of themselves allows for insights that Mibs never dreamed of, but she also learns from this too.  For example, after seeing how broken Lester (the Bible salesman on whose bus she and her peers stowaway) has become based on the horrible treatment inflicted upon him from the women in his life, Mibs resolves never to let anyone treat her that way. Growing up is hard enough without a “savvy,” and readers will be enchanted by the distraction of this adventurous and powerful story. 

For this particular review, I listened to the audiobook version of this story contained on 8 audio compact discs .  Lily Blau did a great job narrating the story.  Using different voices for the various characters, her performance really brings these colorful characters to life.  

Awards and Review Excerpts

2009 Newbery Honor Book

• Booklist:  “Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful.”
• Kirkus: “Law displays both a fertile imagination…and a dab hand for likable, colorful characters.”
• School Library Journal: “With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans.”

Connections

• Have students listen to the audiobook as they read along with the printed version to further reading development and comprehension. 
• Have students write about a “savvy” of their choice.  If they could have a “savvy”, what would it be and why?  What purpose would it serve?  How might it be problematic?

Personal Reflections

This was a highly enjoyable story!  While researching for reviews, I found that Law has written a sequel to Savvy, and I am eager to read that book as well.

SPEAK, by Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse.  1999.  Speak.  New York: The Penguin Group.  ISBN 014131088X

Plot Summary

Melinda begins her high school career by being cruelly ostracized from her peer group after a phone call results in police breaking up a late summer party.  But the truth behind her actions is kept secret and inflicts torment on her more than any misunderstandings with her peers.

Critical Analysis

Speak is the story of Melinda, a high school freshman in Syracuse, NY who has been plagued with challenges at school and at home following an assault which took place at a late summer party.  While the specifics of the assault are not revealed until more than halfway through the story, Anderson sets up the impact this event has had on Melinda with revealing internal narration that is honest, witty, and emotionally poignant.  Feelings of not belonging, loneliness, and bullying are all themes with which teens (and even adults) can not only relate, but also have probably experienced themselves directly or indirectly.   Readers will relate to her realistic and entertaining commentary about high school life and the various teen cliques which only adds to the distress that she has been shunned by them all.  Anderson’s characters are memorable and realistic.  Melinda is a likable and relatable young woman struggling with the same problems most teens struggle with, but she must do so in the midst of emotional chaos.  Her actions reveal her inner turmoil as well: constant lip biting and her almost uncontrolled inability to speak, especially with adults.  The only peers that do not initially shun her are her lab partner, David Petrakis, who understands what it’s like to be the odd one out, and Heather, the new girl from Ohio (though she later grows weary of Melinda’s depression and shuns her too).  Melinda suffers at the hands of adults as well; she is unfairly judged by some teachers and inadvertently neglected by her parents.  One adult stands out as a source of possible empathy and reassurance: her art teacher Mr. Freeman.  He makes no grand gestures.  He just pays attention and gives her the space for her creativity to reveal itself.  And who among us does not remember both the best and worst teachers in our past with equal passion?  

Anderson deals with a very sensitive topic, rape, with enough detail to be authentic while still remaining appropriate for the middle school reader.  The resolution between Melinda and her attacker is realistic and psychologically important.  There is no knight-on-a-white horse rescue.  What finally allows Melinda to begin to heal is the fact that she realizes that she is not alone; other girls have been victimized by the same villain.  Teens, especially those in their early teens, often feel that they are the only person suffering from whatever problem is plaguing them which breeds these feelings of disassociation from the peer group.  Her realization gives her the strength to stand up to her attacker after a second attempted assault and repair the damage inside herself.  And while Melinda’s future is left a bit up in the air, the resolution still leaves the reader feeling satisfied.  If anyone questions whether teens identify with Anderson’s first novel, one need only look to the introduction of this 10^th anniversary edition which includes a poem created from a multitude of excerpts from real letters written to the author from readers who have been significantly affected by Melinda’s story.  

Awards and Review Excerpts

2000 Printz Honor Book

1999 National Book Award Finalist

• Kirkus: “The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”
• Publishers Weekly: “the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”
• School Library Journal: “Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Connections

• Melinda’s emotional distress is, in many ways, increased because of the strained relationship she has with her parents.  Encourage parents to read this book with their teens, both boys and girls, to stimulate important discussion. 
• The topic of teenage cliques plays a significant role in this story.  Have students write about peer groups.  Do they serve a purpose?  What are their advantages and disadvantages?  What can students do to take a bit of a risk and broaden their social horizons?

Personal Reflections

One of the things I loved about this book is how natural and real Anderson made her protagonist.  Reading this from the perspective of both an adult and a mother, I wanted to literally crawl into this book and give Melinda a giant bear hug (and then summarily smack her parents around a bit too).  In my research I saw this book has been made into a movie, and I look forward to viewing it sometime soon.