The Iliad

March 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-A welcome introduction to Homer's The Iliad. While the book uses the clear and concise language typical of the series, there is some attempt to mimic the rhythmic language of the original: "Now, dear reader, you will hear the tale of Achilles and his rage." The story is broken into sections, with a quick introduction to Greek myth. Each chapter title clearly sums up the main event within, and the action scenes are paced well against the exposition to give readers the full scale of the story. While there are better versions to truly reflect the artistry of the original, this is a great choice for readers who need a clear breakdown of the story. It could easily be used to supplement classroom readings of a more challenging version or to allow students not quite ready for the original to get a head start. Discussion questions at the end will be particularly helpful for teachers.-Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City

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