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Arachne Speaks (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Blair Drawson (Illustrator) "She wanted the credit, but I'd already headed down my fated path by demanding fair play-no accident of birth would determine my worth!..." (more)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Hardcover Available from these sellers. Published January 31, 2001	Hardcover, January 31, 2001	--	$12.99	$0.06
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This oversize volume addresses a narrow audienceDsophisticated and skilled adolescent readers who remain open to picture booksDbut it offers those readers profound satisfaction. Debut author Hovey reworks the myth of Arachne in elegant rhymed verse, writing mostly in Arachne's voice but also in the voice of Athena. Relegating explanatory information to an appendix, the poet presumes a certain familiarity with the myth: Athena, the patron goddess of weaving, punishes Arachne for her hubristic pride in her weaving skills by turning her into a spider. Arachne speaks to her spider descendants in consistently dramatic, imagistic verse. She commands them: "Cast to the four winds/ my story's threadD/ let truth spread/ like gossamer from your abdomens/ across the fields of time!" Distinctly modern in its sympathy for Arachne's pride in her self-taught achievements and for her lack of respect for the gods and goddesses, this version will likely resonate with adolescents. Drawson's (Flying Dimitri) art, not particularly well-represented in the off-putting cover illustration, reconciles Hovey's contemporary interpretation of a classical subject with a visual approach that quotes classical motifs but uses stylish perspectives and emphasizesDif not exaggeratesDthe figures' emotions. The result is a bit eerie and, sometimes, surreal, as in a view of Arachne as a spider, with eight human limbs attached to a face that appears human but for its eight eyes. Together, art and text successfully challenge the boundaries of myth, stimulating readers to explore anew its proven terrains. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-This faithful, lyrical retelling of a Greek myth is one that Ovid would admire. Hovey's poetic tale tells the story of Athena, who causes a cruel metamorphosis when angered by the weaver Arachne. The text, which incorporates the voices of both women, flows beautifully and will enliven the imaginations of the children who hear or read it, but will be best appreciated by those who already know the story. The brilliant illustrations, strong in golds and blues, perfectly embody Arachne's anger and Athena's wrath. Although the Library of Congress has cataloged this as poetry, some collections may want to add it to their mythology shelves.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

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Product Details

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1st edition (February 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689829019
ISBN-13: 978-0689829017
Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,476,725 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
She wanted the credit, but I'd already headed down my fated path by demanding fair play-no accident of birth would determine my worth! Read the first page

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 2 books:

Arachne Speaks by Blair Drawson in Front Matter, and Back Matter
Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean in Back Matter

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	44% buy the item featured on this page: Arachne Speaks 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring Arachne back Alive!, January 20, 2006

By	Gwynne C. Spencer (Mancos, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This retelling of the myth would be a great basis for kids to use in creative dramatics. The rivalry, anger, and seething resentment in the text feels authentic, and would fuel good storytelling with two actors--Athena and Arachne--and a minimal amount of dialog to memorize. I'd recommend it for use in Language Arts for middle school and high school. This is not a "cutesy" version for little kids, but full of the defiant voice of Arachne and the vanity and arrogance of the gods as a counterpoint.

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