  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 11/01/2021 *Starred Review* In this companion to Norse Myths (2017), Crossley-Holland revisits mythical tales of the Viking Age in a shorter, though equally compelling tome of five stories. While the Norse gods appear again, this time they’ve all crossed a rainbow bridge and appear among humans, giants, trolls, and other supernatural beings in Midguard (also known as Middle Earth). The foreword explains the concept of the rainbow bridge and that the gods use it from time to time to visit humans and help them in their land. From Odin’s showdown with a cave-dwelling giant to a miserly ghost tricked out of his fortune, the author’s storytelling is direct with bold scenes, occasionally sinister twists, and touches of optimism, all of which explore the human condition. Female characters play a more prominent role in this volume, especially in the tale of a girl who is bestowed the secret of making linen by the goddess Frigg. The final tale, the only one told in the first person, is a gentler one in which a boy receives the gift of poetry from a god’s legacy and hopes to pass it on to a worthy reader (which could be you!). Once again, Love’s striking expressionistic illustrations with ominous creatures, rugged terrain, and dark colors set just the right tone for this distinctive collection. - Copyright 2021 Booklist. School Library Journal - 12/01/2021 Gr 5 Up—Crossley-Holland delivers a new title consisting of five short stories based on Norse mythology. Readers are introduced to Middle Earth and the Norse gods in the foreword, followed by the stories of these gods and humans. The first tale centers three gods trying to outsmart a troll. The second follows a man who seeks information only belonging to a ghost. In the third, readers learn about creating beauty from little through hard work. The fourth tells of a surprisingly tricky god out for a fun jaunt over the rainbow bridge. The final story explores how the gift of lyrical poetry gets passed down through generations. Readers do not need any previous knowledge of Norse mythology to enjoy this book. At a short 96 pages (many of which are full of gorgeous illustrations), this will be a quick read for an older child or teen. However, be aware that some of these stories end as many myths do, with violence. With the caveat in mind to deliver this to readers mature enough for such content, this is a beautiful and lyrical book that will be enjoyed by many older children and teens. VERDICT Unique and intriguing for the right reader. Recommended purchase where mythology is popular.—Elizabeth Portillo, Finkelstein Memorial Lib., Spring Valley, NY - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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