Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead

Middle Grade Non-Fiction

G/A  Shecter, Vicky Alvear.  Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead.  Boyds Mills Press, 2014.  128p.  978-1620915981.  16.95.

Hades, the Greek God of the Dead, leads readers on a tour of his dark underworld in this short, quirky non-fiction title. Told from his snarky point of view, Hades introduces us to the underworld and those that protect and guide people within, including ferryman Charon, guard “dog”, Cerebus and Hades’ wife, Persephone. Along the way he tells short tales about other deities and heroes that are in the underworld or have visited at some point, including Odysseus. Humor abounds, especially when Hades pokes fun at both Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. The book includes a guide to ancient gods and heroes, glossary, bibliography and index. Other books in the series include Egyptian God, Anubis and coming soon, Viking God, Thor. The titles serve as a great introduction to mythology for younger readers or a fun read for those already fascinated with it. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch