• Age: 0 to 18
• Grade: p to 12
• Reading age: 0

This unique retelling of the ancient Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf is told from the point of view of fourteen-year-old Wiglaf, Beowulf's youngest kinsman. Through Wiglaf's visions and the stories he hears from his grandfather, a riveting tale unfolds -- how Beowulf saved the Danes by fighting the evil troll Grendel, and how he then killed Grendel's enraged mother. When Wiglaf meets Beowulf, he becomes the youngest warrior in his court, and his fierce loyalty to the king leads to a surprising end in a deadly fight with a fire-breathing dragon.

Carefully researched and true in spirit to the Old English poem, Welwyn Wilton Katz has written a compelling version of a literary classic suited to young readers. Gal's illustrations have the brilliant color of an illuminated manuscript.

Welwyn Wilton Katz, one of Canada's leading novelists for children, has many awards to her credit, including the Governor General's Award and the Ruth Schwartz Award. She has also received the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature for a body of work. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Welwyn Katz's profile page

Laszlo Gal was one of Canada's most highly regarded illustrators of children's books whose many awards include the Canadian Council Children's Literature Prize (twice) and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award. He is know for his brilliant interpretations of traditional texts, and for many years it was his dream to illustrate Beowulf.

Laszlo Gal's profile page

Welwyn Katz's prose retelling of this poem is, quite simply, stunning.

Globe and Mail