Book Review: The Hero Beowulf

Module 2

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric. The Hero Beowulf. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group, 2005. Illustrated by Leonard Fisher. ISBN 0-374-30671-0

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Beowulf was a hero from childhood, beginning with his first heroic deed of defeating savage trolls when he was ten years old. Many other great deeds followed. When Beowulf hears of the monster Grendel terrorizing Heorot Hall, Beowulf goes to defeat him. He pretends to sleep in the hall at night when Grendel shows up and bravely fights the monster in hand-to-hand combat. Although other warriors attempt to assist Beowulf, their weapons cannot pierce Grendel’s enchanted scales. Beowulf fiercely holds on to Grendel’s arm as Grendel attempts to get loose and severs his arm from his shoulder. Grendel runs away and dies in the marshes and can no longer torment Heorot.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kimmel’s retelling of Beowulf’s story is very descriptive. The text includes specific details that enable the reader to picture the scene, even without the assistance of the illustrations. “Green slime dripped from the scales covering his body. Each hand ended in three claws, curved blades that could rip the life out of any man or beast.” Although originally a poem, this version of Beowulf only includes one short poem which announces Beowulf’s heroism and that there is no one equal to him. The conflict with Grendel’s mother and slaying the dragon, which costs Beowulf his life, are not included in this reduced version.

Unlike many other picture books, the text is extremely detailed and does not require illustrations to create the image of the scene. However, Kimmel’s full page, colorful illustrations will assist young readers with remembering the heroism of Beowulf as his defeat over enormous sea serpents and Grendel is recorded in the illustrations. Although the illustrations depict Grendel’s shoulder bursting and the bloody mess that follows, it is not overly gruesome and is appropriate for the intended young audience. 

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*School Library Journal: “Fisher's large-scale compositions, easily visible across a reading group, feature bright tones for sails, shields, and jerkins bracketed by sky and sea.”

*Kirkus Reviews: “well worth introducing to younger audiences.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Other retellings of Beowulf:

Morpurgo, Michael. BEOWULF. ISBN 978-0763632069

Rumford, James. BEOWULF. ISBN 978-0618756377

Storrie, Paul. BEOWULF: MONSTER SLAYER. ISBN 978-0822585121

*Discuss what makes a hero. What would a modern day hero look like and what kind of enemies would he or she have to fight?