From Publishers Weekly
For graduates of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, these installments of the Tales from the Odyssey series deftly distill episodes from Homer's epic. Osborne (the Magic Tree House series) opens the first volume as Odysseus receives King Agamemnon's orders to join the fight against Troy, and bring home the Greek queen, Helen, kidnapped by a Trojan prince. In succinct chapters, the author then traces the labyrinthine journey of Odysseus and his men as they attempt to sail home to Ithaca. She touches on their encounters with the island of the lotus-eaters, Polyphemus the Cyclops and Aeolus, god of the winds. The second book brings the hero and his band to the island of the cannibal giants who devour a number of Odysseus's men, the palace of Circe the enchantress, who transforms some of the Greeks into swine, and the Land of the Dead, where Odysseus encounters his mother's ghost. Plot takes precedence over character development, but the hero's bravery and fidelity come through in his actions. In brief chapters and concise sentences, Osborne pares down each of these adventures into easily absorbed, swiftly paced episodes that will keep readers anxiously anticipating book three, Mermaids and Monsters, scheduled for spring 2003. Each volume includes a glossary of gods and goddesses and a pronunciation guide to the characters' names, which also help recommend this series as a tidy introduction to Homer and to Greek mythology. Final artwork not seen by PW. Ages 8-11. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Reviewed with Mary Pope Osborne's The Land of the Dead .Gr. 4-8. Osborne turns her considerable skill in retelling myths to Homer's Odyssey in these slim, charming opening volumes in her Tales from the Odyssey series. In the first volume, One-Eyed Giant, Odysseus and his men commence their perilous homeward journey at the conclusion of the Trojan War, first encountering the lotus-eaters and then pitching desperate battle with the fearsome Cyclops. In Land of the Dead, the travelers escape from the wily Circe, only to brave the Land of the Dead in search of the wisdom of the blind prophet Tiresias. Osborne's simple, engaging narrative will surely capture interest as it presents a great hero in bold, yet human, dimensions--protecting his men, longing for home, wondering what the next catastrophe will be. The idea of delivering the classic story in small, beautifully written, accessible bites will appeal to both teachers and young readers, who will eagerly await subsequent volumes. Each book includes a short pantheon of major gods and goddesses, a pronunciation guide, and information about Homer and mythology. Anne O'Malley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
When Odysseus must leave his home to fight the Trojan War, he never imagines that heíll be away from his family for so many years. Now, at long last, he is leading his men home across the seas. But many dangers await them ñ and none is more terrifying than Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant.

Card catalog description
Retells a part of the Odyssey in which King Odysseus fights the cyclops.

ANNOTATION

Retells a part of the Odyssey in which King Odysseus fights the cyclops.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Odysseus must leave his home to fight in the Trojan War, he never imagines that he will be away from his family for so many years. Now, at long last, he is leading his men home across the seas. But many dangers await them -- and none is more terrifying than Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

For graduates of D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, these books deftly distill episodes from Homer's epic, pared down into easily absorbed, swiftly paced adventures," wrote PW in a starred review. Ages 8-11. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Kathie M. Josephs

Adventure, intrigue and suspense fill the pages of book one in Osborne's series, "Tales from the Odyssey." Odysseus left his wife and son to fight in the Trojan War in order to save Helen of Troy. After ten years, the war ends and Odysseus and his men set sail to begin the long journey home. During this journey, the men encounter lotus trees with edible flowers that have magical powers; the one-eyed monster Polyphemus, the most savage of all Cyclops; and Aeolus, the god of the winds. The chapters are short, easy to read, and will pull in even the most reluctant readers. Included in the book is a map of Odysseus's journey, an epilogue, several pages with information about Homer and the Odyssey, and a list of main gods and goddesses of ancient Greece along with fantastic illustrations. Osborne does an excellent job of creating a page-turning thriller and the reader will definitely look forward to owning the other books in this series. 2002, Hyperion Paperbacks for Children, Ages 9 to 14.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-In these retellings, Osborne sets up each small slice of Homer's story with the same brief prologue and concludes with a note about Greek myths, a glossary of the main gods and goddesses, and a note on her sources. One-Eyed Giant ends as Odysseus and his men drift on the sea after being cursed by the Cyclops; Land of the Dead begins with the men escaping the cannibal giants and ends with Odysseus still longing to be reunited with his wife and son. These books have large type and are filled with easy-to-read dialogue, making them good, energetically told introductions to the Odyssey for children unfamiliar with the story.-John Palmer, Bryan & College Station Library System, Bryan, TX Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews