Weinersmith, Zach. Bea Wolf. Boulet, Illus. First Second, 03/2023. 208pp. Graphic Trade $19.99 978-1-250-77629-7. GRADES 4 – 8. OUTSTANDING.
Brave-hearted, epic, and funny as heck, this graphic riff on “Beowulf” opens with a call to arms as fabled kid stalwarts are introduced. Black and white, heavily crosshatched cartoons co-mingle big-eyed cuteness with a moody gravitas, as tots glare out from cinematic shadows, ready to battle Grindle: a grim-faced, joy-gobbler. The brilliance of the adaptation lies in how perfectly the glorious, anachronistic spirit of Beowulf is translated into thoroughly modern irreverence. These kids delight in junk food, swill soda, brandish plastic weapons, and despise co-operative games. The rhythmic, alliterative prose and the larger-than-average comic panels make this an excellent choice for a family readaloud. With plenty of witty wordplay and a vast cast of racially diverse characters, the nine action-packed chapters beg to be read again and again. An extensive, irreverent, and well-researched author’s note provides historical context and a primer on how to craft your own Old English-inspired kenning—a poetic riddle with words certain to banish boredom and bedevil the dull.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired