Eureka!

Hero Beowulf, The

Publication Information

Author: Kimmel, Eric A.

Illustrator: Fisher, Leonard Everett

Title: Hero Beowulf, The

Date: 2005

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

City: New York

ISBN, paperback: 0-374-30671-0

ISBN, hardback:

Recommended audience:

ABE/ABLE: Yes

ESOL:

Family:

Young Adult:

Picture: Yes

General Information:

Book Type(s): legends, tales, and myths

HSE Descriptor(s): language arts - reading

Summary:

This prose retelling of the first part of the earliest poem in English (Anglo Saxon, actually) has strong, vibrant illustrations and helpful supplementary material.

Teaching Ideas:

This book makes a great read aloud. Using a Eureka text set of heroes, readers could develop a matrix of characteristics of a hero. How does Beowulf compare with other heroes? Students could research the historical background of the Vikings of Sweden and Denmark. Since the original poem was probably sung (as many ancient stories were), readers should check the web site of Ben Bagby, a performer who sings Beowulf www.bagbybeowulf.com/index.htm. Advanced readers might look at a corresponding passage in the new translation of Beowulf by Seamus Heaney; the entrance of Grendal into Heorot Hall would be a good choice. Search the Internet under Beowulf to view historic texts and listen to see what the original language sounds like. A good discussion/writing question is, Why has Beowulf survived?

Teaching Strategies: