The Cyclopes

School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up A spirited retelling of the origin and history of the race of Cyclopes from Greek mythology, this is a handsome volume. Evslin's language is both earthy and poetic; his retelling of the Cyclopes myth(s) is compelling and dramatic, from the birth of the monsters to Gaia, ``whose name means earth,'' to the blinding of Polyphemus by Ulysses. Beautifully detailed and carefully designed (each chapter begins with an initial letter rubric that draws on mythological motifs), this is a heavily illustrated book, with over 40 reproductions of fine art masterpieces (i.e., Goya, Renoir, Cellini) in color and black and white. Evslin's accessible and exhilarating writing style makes this an eminently successful combination of art and text. Given the strong demand for and high interest in the subject, as well as the high quality of this presentation, this is an outstanding addition to any mythology collection, easily booktalked and highly motivational for both reluctant and avid readers. Janice M. Del Negro, Chicago Public Library