Inspired by the ancient masterpiece The Aeneid, by Roman poet Virgil, modern-day author Penelope Lively has penned a poignant retelling of the arduous journeys of Trojan warrior Aeneas. Doubtful young readers will be amazed at how readable and downright gripping these old tales really are, from the devastating ruse the Greeks wreak on the city of Troy, to the tempestuous seas the escaping Trojans cross and recross, to the violent battles they fight, all in the name of finding their true homeland. Illustrator Ian Andrew's evocative, scratchy illustrations set the stage for award-winning author Penelope Lively's text, which captures all the terrible excitement and bittersweet emotions of these ancient travails and mythical encounters with supernatural beasts. Moved by this retelling, readers will surely want to seek out other epic classics, perhaps Rosemary Sutcliff's masterful retellings of Homer's Black Ships Before Troy: The Story of the Iliad and The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of the Odyssey. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter