From a compelling new voice in middle grade literature comes a reimagination of The Odyssey told from the point of view of Odysseus’s loyal dog. Argos is a thrilling tale of loyalty, determination, and adventure. For twenty years, the great hero Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaka. After ten years beneath the walls of Troy, he begins the long journey back home. He defeats monsters. He outsmarts the Cyclops. He battles the gods. He does whatever it takes to reunite with his family. And what of that family—his devoted wife, Penelope; his young son, Telemachos; his dog, Argos? For those twenty years, they wait, unsure whether they will ever see Odysseus again. But Argos has found a way to track his master. Any animal who sets foot or wing on Ithaka brings him news of Odysseus’s voyage—and what a voyage it is! These tales bring hope that one day his master will return. Meanwhile, Argos watches over his master’s family and protects them from the dangers that surround a throne without its king. This rousing story of devotion and determination is an original take on one of the most beloved myths of all time. 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. VERDICT Hand this one to die-hard readers of the "Percy Jackson" series who are looking for a more traditional rendition of the Greek tales.-Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Hand this one to die-hard readers of the “Percy Jackson” series who are looking for a more traditional rendition of the Greek tales. - School Library Journal Inventive retelling of Homer’s Odyssey - ALA Booklist Argos offers mythology-loving 9- to 12-year-olds a fresh point of access to the great story. - Wall Street Journal Ralph Hardy is a professor of English at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in English and received his MFA from Columbia College, Chicago. He now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife and children and a dog named Harvey, who is nothing like Argos. He is the author of Argo: The Story of Odysseus as Told by His Loyal Dog ,  The Cheetah Diaries , Lefty: A Novel , and a number of short stories. For more information go to www.ralphhardyfiction.com.