VOICES OF THE TROJAN WAR

The classic tale of the Trojan War—about gods and men and fate—is here in full splendor. From Cassandra’s doomed prophecies to the contest for the golden apple to epic war and tragic ends, this story in verse is a fine retelling. Readers already familiar with the tale will especially enjoy the poems told by the many players in the cast. Each poem is headed by an excerpt from a classic author—Homer, Virgil, Aeschylus, Ovid, Euripides—thereby introducing young readers to classic sources. Just as the poems give voice to Aphrodite, Hera, Athena, Hector, Achilles, and many others, parents and teachers will want to lend their voices to making the tale come alive as a read-aloud at home or for reader’s theater in the classroom. The handy appendix explains the characters, with pronunciation. With this and her previous Arachne Speaks (p. 84) and Ancient Voices (2001), Hovey offers a fresh and elegant take on the old stories for young readers. (bibliography) (Fiction. 9+)