'For a long while Beowulf leaned on the blood-stained sword; his heart was pounding. A man with the strength of thirty! Slayer of Grendel and slayer of the sea-wolf! A hero without equal in this middle-world!' The story of Beowulf was written down as an epic poem in Anglo-Saxon England. It recounts the heroic struggles of one man against supernatural monsters. Kevin Crossley-Holland's retelling unleashes the excitement in this tale of the triumph of good over evil, while unforgettable illustrations from Charles Keeping capture every brooding moment and explosive episode. This new edition features rescanned artwork to capture the breath-taking detail of Keeping's illustrations and a striking new cover.
There are 48 pages in this book. This book was published 2013 by Oxford University Press .
Kevin Crossley-Holland is well-known as a poet, broadcaster, and writer for children. He won the Carnegie Medal in 1985. For Oxford, he has written The Green Children and adapted Beowulf for children. Charles Keeping was the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal.
This book contains the following story:
Beowulf
For 12 years, an ogre named Grendel has menaced King Hrothgar, raiding his mead-hall and killing his men. Beowulf, a young warrior from neighbouring Geatland, comes to the king's aid, bringing with him 14 of his men. Beowulf and the Geats bed down in the mead-hall to wait for Grendel and in the ensuing battle, the monster is mortally wounded. The following day Grendel's mother comes to avenge her son, but Beowulf persues and kills her.