Argos: The Story of Odysseus as Told by His Loyal Dog

Gr 4–7—In this retelling of the ancient tale, the narrator is Argos, Odysseus's dog, left behind on Ithaka. The only way Argos can learn of his master's travels is to "talk" to the birds and other animals that have left the island. Argos speaks to gulls, owls, ravens, plovers, and others to find out the fate of Odysseus. The story follows the classic tale and uses the Greek names for characters and places. Readers learn of Odysseus's visits to Circe and his interactions with the Cyclops and the Sirens, as well as the suitors who hound Penelope, Odysseus's wife. Readers hear, too, of how Argos finds a mate and how his legacy is carried forth by one of his progeny. The prose is written in a style that reflects the ancient Greek origins of the story rather than contemporary speech patterns. Unfortunately, there is no glossary or pronunciation guide, which would be a big help to the target audience.