Mount Olympus Basketball
Starred Review.Grade 2-5-It's the Mortals versus the Greek Gods (and goddesses) in this madcap basketball showdown narrated with breathless abandon by two modern-day television sportscasters. Against heavy odds, the human heroes attempt to overcome the overwhelming powers of their opponents. Not surprisingly, after a tempestuous display by Zeus, the Gods take the contest with a score of 2,678,352 to 6. The book comes complete with over-the-top player introductions, savvy basketball terminology, a halftime look at ancient Greece, and more mythological references, asides, and bad puns than you can shake a caduceus at. The breezy, slightly chaotic, and intensely colored cartoon illustrations catch the speed of this fast-paced sport. Dressed in 20th-century uniforms, the players also wear accoutrements relating to their personas. For readers whose appetite for Greek mythology has been whetted, an author's note lists movies, books, and Web sites and suggests asking teachers and librarians for more information. O'Malley has found a new way to make mythology exciting in this wild contest that will find an audience among sports buffs and fans of Mount Olympus.Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.