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Odd and the Frost Giants Hardcover – Illustrated, November 1, 2009

by Neil Gaiman (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,337 ratings
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The thrilling, wintry Nordic tale by Neil Gaiman, who weaves a magical story of legend and adventure that will enchant readers from beginning to end.

Odd, a young Viking boy, is left fatherless following a raid. In his icy, ancient world there is no mercy for an unlucky soul with a crushed foot and no one to protect him. Fleeing to the woods, Odd stumbles upon and releases a trapped bear…and then Odd's destiny begins to change.

The eagle, bear, and fox Odd encounters are Norse gods, trapped in animal form by the evil frost giant who has conquered Asgard, the city of the gods. Now our hero must reclaim Thor's hammer, outwit the frost giants and release the gods…

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    6 - 10 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    128 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 4
  5. Lexile measure
    820L
  6. Dimensions
    5 x 0.61 x 7.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  8. Publication date
    November 1, 2009
  9. ISBN-10
    0061671738
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0061671739
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Using several figures from Norse mythology, Gaiman has written a thoughtful and quietly humorous fantasy that younger Percy Jackson fans will enjoy. Twelve-year-old Odd hasn't had a good couple of years: his father died rescuing a pony that fell overboard during a Viking raid, his leg was crippled during a tree-felling accident, and his mother married a man he dislikes. So, in the midst of what should be spring ("Winter hung in there, like an invalid refusing to die"), he sets out for a cabin in the wilderness, figuring that anything will be better than home. Soon after arriving, a fox leads him to an enormous bear whose paw is caught in a tree; a large eagle circles overhead. Odd shows kindness and bravery when helping the bear, learning afterward that these three animals are gods who have been transformed by the Frost Giant. Odd is determined to help them, and his ultimate encounter with the Frost Giant is especially interesting, tweaking the tradition of small boys getting the better of giants. Readers will also enjoy Odd's interaction with the animals, Gaiman's simple and graceful writing, and the satisfying conclusion.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL END

From the Back Cover

In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.

In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.

Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.

Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.

It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.

Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . .

Someone just like Odd .

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061671738
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061671739
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 10 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 820L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.61 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,337 ratings

About the author

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Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

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Neil Gaiman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Norse Mythology, Neverwhere, and The Graveyard Book. Among his numerous literary awards are the Newbery and Carnegie medals, and the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner awards. He is a Professor in the Arts at Bard College.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
2,337 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tammy Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Norse Mythology Gaiman Style
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2013
Verified Purchase
I don't think I've ever read anything by Neil Gaiman that I didn't like. This book was no different. The book draws on Viking legend and mythology. While Norse legends were never something I read over much, I did see the movie Thor and I was amazed at how much I was familiar with.

Not feeling wanted in his village, Odd decides to leave his community and go to his father's hunting lodge. There he meets a fox who takes him to a bear that is trapped by a tree and Odd works to free him all the while be watched over by an eagle. Once he frees the bear, the bear allows Odd to ride his back and takes him home, the two being closely followed by the fox and eagle. When they get to his lodge, none of the animals seem keen on leaving so he does the only thing left to do. He invites them in.

He soon discovers that they are ensorcelled Norse gods, Odin, Thor and Loki, and that a Frost Giant has stolen their home and destroyed the bifrost so they can't take the rainbow bridge home.

Odd seems like a bit of a simpleton upon first encounter, but we find that he is actually very clever. He decides to help them take back their home and travels with them to Asgard, if only they can find a way back.

The story itself is very short, but it is melodic. It has sort of a sing song quality to it and while it is not an overly complex story, as it is written for a younger audience, it is an inspirational tale about how on ordinary boy can be a hero with a little optimism and cleverness.
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Sara Zaske
5.0 out of 5 stars Gaimon is brilliant again
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a story that both kids and adults can enjoy. Odd is a twelve-year-old Norse boy with a twisted foot, a terrible step-dad, and an annoyingly constant smile. One winter that doesn't seem to end he leaves home, only to make friends with a bear, fox, and an eagle. Of course, they are something much more than ordinary animals. And that's all I'm going to tell you because I don't want to spoil the fun.

Odd is a simple tale (and a short one), but it's told with such elegance and power you'll want to read it again and again. It brings up huge themes and resolves conflict in a clever way. The magical beings in this book are far from perfect. They are perhaps even more flawed than the human boy, Odd. That may be the point: that any being that seems all-powerful really has nothing on a clever human with the ability to grow and learn.

I might just have to read everything Neil Gaimon has ever written. He's that good. I've picked up two books by him now, (you can see my earlier review of Coraline on Amazon or my blog), and they were both fabulously written stories of almost mythical dimensions. I have to wonder what magic he works with the ones aimed at adults.

I highly recommend Odd and The Frost Giants for readers young and old. Plus it was really flippin' cheap: The ebook is listed at $1.99 this month on Amazon.

(This review can also be found on my blog: sarazaske.wordpress.com)
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Jeremy Rodden, Author
4.0 out of 5 stars Great middle grade intro to Norse Mythology!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Why I Think Boys May Enjoy This

Well, first off I must admit that I am a huge fanboy for anything Neil Gaiman. That being said, this middle grade story falls into the category of must-read primer to Norse Mythology (in addition to, you know, Gaiman’s recently published collection of Norse stories). This one, however, is written with that middle grade audience in mind and does so wonderfully. It’s rare to get a “new” Norse Myth story but Gaimain does this with Odd. He uses the familiar framework (Loki does something to screw things up for everyone else) and creates an entirely new myth around Odd.

The story itself has an Aesop’s Fables feel to it with a familiar plot: magical animals appear to our would-be hero, who helps them even at risk to his own life. Of course, the animals turn out to be gods. In a very Viking way, however, Odd is rewarded not simply for his good heart, but for his bravery and cleverness in helping the gods take back Asgard from the Frost Giant that tricked Loki. Odd’s adventure with the gods is framed around a very nice story about a young boy losing his father and dealing with a disability, yet remaining positive and determined no matter what was placed in front of him.

It would be remiss to discuss this version of the book without giving credit to the amazing illustrations by Chris Riddell. In some cases, he was given a full two-page spread to work with and he did not disappoint. With his simple black and white drawings accented in silver (which is just gorgeous and found throughout), this is one of the prettiest books I’ve held in my hands in a while. Riddell’s art amplifies Gaiman’s story in a masterful way. Visions of the Norse gods as they are presented in actual Norse myth (not the Marvel comics version) are wonderful.

Content/Appropriateness

It’s a myth story, so normal myth stuff applies: temptation by beauty, death (but nothing cruel or gruesome), and hardships for our hero followed by rewards for his performance by the gods. There is clearly no language or content concerns across the board and the only real death is an “off-screen” death of Odd’s father by illness after nearly drowning in the frozen waters of the north.

The artwork is all G-rated and there is nothing to suggest that the youngest of readers couldn’t enjoy this story. It would make a great read out-loud story with its numerous large pictures and a strong reader as young as 8 could easily pick this up and run with it on their own. It is not watered/”dumbed” down for a young audience but is still more than accessible.

Rating

4/5 Giant Cartoon Mallets from Toonopolis, The Blog's Books for Boys Review
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Top reviews from other countries

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Pablina Vieira
5.0 out of 5 stars Lindo, do começo ao fim
Reviewed in Brazil on October 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
Um livro lindo, as ilustrações e relevos na capa são lindíssimos. Quem é fã do Neil Gaiman vai amar esse livro!
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Fernando de Alba
5.0 out of 5 stars Vale la pena
Reviewed in Mexico on August 2, 2017
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Es una historia corta, pero con mucho corazón. Una forma diferente de conocer esta historia que ha Sido contada infinidad de veces.
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Joselito
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Spain on October 25, 2019
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Greaaaat
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Mike Bridges
5.0 out of 5 stars If you enjoyed American Gods
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
A short and enjoyable story by Neil Gaiman. If you enjoyed American Gods, this will give you a bit more to digest. Not directly related in any way, like Anansi Boys, but still feels as though it's in the same universe. Very much on the Fantasy end of the spectrum, this is a great read to get through in one power sitting or over a few days at the beach. Certainly recommend.
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Ani Deb
5.0 out of 5 stars Odd and the Frost Giants
Reviewed in India on March 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
An excellent new book by Neil Gaiman. It took me back to my childhood.
One person found this helpful
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