Apollo: The Brilliant One (Olympians #8)

by George O'Connor (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Olympians

Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot.

In the latest volume of Olympians, New York Times bestselling author George O'Connor continues to turn his extensive knowledge of the original Greek myths into rip-roaring graphic novel storytelling.

This title has Common Core connections.

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4 Up—Narrated by the nine Mousai, or muses, who were worshipped alongside the brilliant son of Zeus, the eighth entry in O'Connor's masterful graphic novel series continues in the tradition of his previous "Olympians" tales. Starting off with Hera's pursuit of Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis, and Zeus's lover, the muses relate different myths, each fleshing out a different aspect of the god of light's personality and legend. From his many charms and character flaws to his often failed romances, Apollo is presented as the most human of the Greek gods. Telling his story through the muses' perspectives is a successful device that O'Connor employs—each of them share a story that is in tune with their area of expertise. For example, Erato, the muse of mimicry and love poetry, recites a poem about Hyacinth, the prince of Sparta, who was caught in a love triangle with Apollo and Zephyros. Within this tale, some of the panels feature her miming some of the particulars. It is details like these, plus the creator's in-depth research, matter-of-fact and humorous tone, and expressive and dynamic art that continue to make each entry in this series a must-have. The variation of panels and the alternating dark and light-infused color palette add to the work's overall pacing and appeal. VERDICT A shining example of a graphic novel that educates and entertains.—Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 

George O'Connor
George O'Connor is the New York Times-bestselling author of Olympians, the series of graphic novels featuring the tragic, dramatic, and epic lives of the Greek Gods. His first graphic novel, Journey into Mohawk Country, pushed the boundaries of the genre, using as its sole text the actual historical journal of the seventeenth-century Dutch trader Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert. He also illustrated acclaimed playwright Adam Rapp's Ball Peen Hammer. He teamed up with writer Daniel G. Newman on Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy, the first volume in the World Citizen Comics series. George is also the creator of popular picture books such as the New York Times-bestselling Kapow! and If I Had a Triceratops. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit him at georgeoconnorbooks.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781626720169
Lexile Measure
800
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
First Second
Publication date
January 26, 2016
Series
Olympians
BISAC categories
CGN000000 - Comics & Graphic Novels | General
Library of Congress categories
Mythology, Greek
Gods, Greek
Apollo

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