Hades, the cheeky narrator of the Myth-O-Mania series, returns to set the record straight about the face that launched a thousand ships. Who is responsible for dividing the Greeks, the Trojans and the gods themselves? Not Helen of Troy, but rather "a four-letter word that starts with Z and ends with S," hints the god of the Underworld, back for his first original tale in a decade.
Former teacher McMullan (I Stink!) provides plenty of context for the fun and games that reign among the immortals. Maps, family lineage and a glossary guide kids through this retelling of Zeus dallying with Leda as a swan, resulting in Helen as progeny. The author handles the situation with discretion, setting the scene ("I'm going to marry her," Zeus proclaims), then pointing out the resemblance between Leda's offspring and Zeus. McMullan skillfully weaves in other tales--the courtship of Odysseus and Penelope, the tale of the golden apple and the legend of Achilles' heel--as Hades cautions, "Stick with me here. You'll see.... it all leads back to Helen." (As well as, of course, that "four-letter word that starts with Z....") And indeed it does, just as promised.
All the while, Hades interjects his irreverent asides (he's named his steeds Harley and Davidson, and admits "Even down in the Underworld, I couldn't escape the fighting"). Some of the best moments transpire between Hades and his bride, Persephone. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness