Status
Available
Call number
Publication
HarperCollins (First Edition)
Pages
117
Description
An unlucky twelve-year-old Norwegian boy named Odd leads the Norse gods Loki, Thor, and Odin in an attempt to outwit evil Frost Giants who have taken over Asgard.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008-03-03
Physical description
117 p.; 7.75 inches
ISBN
9780061671739
UPC
046594014993
Similar in this library
Media reviews
Det är en liten medryckande saga om mod, mognad och försoning med sin livslott. Hur otroligt det än kan verka, när man står på botten av ett köldhål, visar Neil Gaiman att även den strängaste vargavinter har ett slut.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bibliovermis
This book was lovely, and just the right length for the story it was.
Drawing on north mythology and heroic folklore, this book tells the story of Odd, an infuriatingly cheerful boy who goes on a quest to end the long winter with three animals who are more then they appear. Reading this book made me
Neil Gaiman is at his best when he writes for children and young adults. His books for a younger audience are consistently great.
Drawing on north mythology and heroic folklore, this book tells the story of Odd, an infuriatingly cheerful boy who goes on a quest to end the long winter with three animals who are more then they appear. Reading this book made me
Show More
very happy.Neil Gaiman is at his best when he writes for children and young adults. His books for a younger audience are consistently great.
Show Less
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
It is popular to write about the Norse mythology - it seems to be the fancy subject for the authors that don't want to write about vampires (and I am just waiting for someone to mix them)... And in most cases we either get one or more of them in the 21st century or we have someone from nowadays
Odd is a small boy, living in his Viking family. He had lost his father (without the father becoming a hero) and on top of all, he is crippled after an axe accident. Both things make him an outsider in these times. And to add to the bad news, the winter is a lot longer and harsher than it should be. So one day Odd decides that he had had enough and simply runs away (in a way).
Except this is the old Viking land - and talking animals and Gods are something you meet every day. And that's exactly what happens - he meets 3 animals that end up being the mightiest Gods of Asgard. And the story begins. Gaiman never plays off the naivete of Odd - he is exactly as naive as you would expect from a boy grown up at these time. But he is also a clever boy that uses all that he sees and experiences to make the best for himself and everyone else.
Everyone knows how it will finish - all myths and fairy tales finish with the good winning over the bad. It is the road that matters and in the story of Odd, it is the small crippled boy that saves not just the world but also Asgard by using his wit and a bit of boyish ingenuity.
It's a nice children story - it is written for the young minds but without underestimating what they can understand. Because the topics are universal - friendship, good and the power of the mind. Highly recommended for anyone that still carries the child in their heart.
Show More
going back in time... or something along these lines. Gaiman chose a different path - a lot more traditional but without being boring. Odd is a small boy, living in his Viking family. He had lost his father (without the father becoming a hero) and on top of all, he is crippled after an axe accident. Both things make him an outsider in these times. And to add to the bad news, the winter is a lot longer and harsher than it should be. So one day Odd decides that he had had enough and simply runs away (in a way).
Except this is the old Viking land - and talking animals and Gods are something you meet every day. And that's exactly what happens - he meets 3 animals that end up being the mightiest Gods of Asgard. And the story begins. Gaiman never plays off the naivete of Odd - he is exactly as naive as you would expect from a boy grown up at these time. But he is also a clever boy that uses all that he sees and experiences to make the best for himself and everyone else.
Everyone knows how it will finish - all myths and fairy tales finish with the good winning over the bad. It is the road that matters and in the story of Odd, it is the small crippled boy that saves not just the world but also Asgard by using his wit and a bit of boyish ingenuity.
It's a nice children story - it is written for the young minds but without underestimating what they can understand. Because the topics are universal - friendship, good and the power of the mind. Highly recommended for anyone that still carries the child in their heart.
Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
I was really looking forward reading Gaiman's next children's book. It was a great read and a wonderful story.
Odd is a bit different from the rest of the Norse community he lives in. One night he wanders off to his deceased father's cabin to carve some wood and runs into a bear, an eagle, and a
This is a great story and it is told like a fairy tale or a fable, in typical Gaiman style. At times the story is quite funny and it is an inspiring tale about a boy just being who he is to help others. I really enjoyed it. This is a great story for all ages. Kids will enjoy the Nordic gods and their sardonic sense of humor; they will enjoy Odd and how a little boy helps change the world just by being himself. The Norse mythology is interesting and the way things are resolved without violence refreshing and ironic.
I loved this story and will keep it on my shelf to re-read and read to my son when he gets a bit older (he is only 3 right now). Another great Gaiman book. Great illustrations and a quick read. Everyone should give this book a read through.
Odd is a bit different from the rest of the Norse community he lives in. One night he wanders off to his deceased father's cabin to carve some wood and runs into a bear, an eagle, and a
Show More
fox...and they can talk. Ends up that they are actually the Norse gods Thor, Odin, and Loki trapped in animal shape by a Frost Giant who stole Thor's hammer (with some unintended aid from Loki). Odd, not having much else to do, decides to help them get back to Asgard and get their fortress back from the Frost Giant.This is a great story and it is told like a fairy tale or a fable, in typical Gaiman style. At times the story is quite funny and it is an inspiring tale about a boy just being who he is to help others. I really enjoyed it. This is a great story for all ages. Kids will enjoy the Nordic gods and their sardonic sense of humor; they will enjoy Odd and how a little boy helps change the world just by being himself. The Norse mythology is interesting and the way things are resolved without violence refreshing and ironic.
I loved this story and will keep it on my shelf to re-read and read to my son when he gets a bit older (he is only 3 right now). Another great Gaiman book. Great illustrations and a quick read. Everyone should give this book a read through.
Show Less
LibraryThing member YouthGPL
This is a novella that Gaiman wrote for World Book Day, and it is wonderfully inventive. Odd is a boy who is crippled, but determined when he walks away from his stepfather's house one winter's day. He has decided that his life there is so miserable that he will be happier living in the woods. But
Show More
then he rescues a bear, and the bear's traveling companions, an eagle and a fox, turn out to be three Norse gods - Odin, Loki and Thor. They are trapped in the bodies of animals by a Frost Giant, and there is a limited amount of time before they are trapped in the bodies of animals forever and winter will never leave. It is Odd by himself that has to defeat the Frost Giants and save the world - making a young boy more powerful than even the gods. Very endearing - Odd is a great boy who has an irritating smile and some decided thoughts about what he is going to do. Short enough for reluctant readers, with a good story to keep them reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member _Zoe_
This is an extremely short children's book inspired by Norse mythology. Not being especially familiar with Norse mythology, I can't say how closely it follows a particular myth, but the well-known gods and settings are there.
It's a cute story, but just too short for my liking. I didn't have enough
So overall, while I don't regret the short time spent reading this, I can't say I was very impressed. I enjoyed Gaiman's other children's books more.
It's a cute story, but just too short for my liking. I didn't have enough
Show More
time to really start caring about the characters, and I would have liked to get a bit deeper into the mythological background. For example, the title character encounters a pool of water with various magical properties, and there's reference to a great cost that one of the gods had to pay to drink from the pool at some point, but we never get more than this vague allusion to its history. Maybe someone more familiar with Norse myth would have appreciated this as a sort of inside joke, but I was just left with the feeling that I had missed something. Also, there were occasional very modern-sounding phrases that I found a bit jarring.So overall, while I don't regret the short time spent reading this, I can't say I was very impressed. I enjoyed Gaiman's other children's books more.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KatharineDB
I actually listened to this book - while on transport of rescue dogs - read by Neil himself and it was amazing and made the miles go fast
LibraryThing member sturlington
I read this with my 6-year-old son, who already knows the characters of Thor, Odin and Loki from The Avengers comics and movies. We both enjoyed this, which I think he took as a kind of "prequel" to the movies. I liked the character of Odd, who was resourceful and clever, and who did grow
Read aloud to Sean (2014).
Show More
(literally and emotionally) as a result of his experiences. I would have liked more of the gods, especially Loki, who is of course the most interesting of the three. The book is short, and I would love for Gaiman to give us more of Odd's adventures.Read aloud to Sean (2014).
Show Less
LibraryThing member London_StJ
The little Norse boy named Odd does everything with a smile on his face. Odd smiles when he's scolded, and doesn't lose the smile when he hears of his father's death. Odd smiles when he cripples his right leg and foot, and he smiles when he meets a trio of talking animals claiming to be gods. Odd
Odd and the Frost Giants is a delightful mock-epic in which Gaiman writes a crippled young boy into the world of the Norse gods. With little more than his (not so) simple understanding of human/god nature Odd conquers feats that leave the more-powerful themselves crippled, and with quiet perseverance he pursues a life more welcoming than the one in which he lives.
Despite Gaiman's never-ending love affair with comma splices, his young adult novel is quite charming. I would recommend it to young readers and parents alike.
Show More
even smiles when he comes face to face with a Frost Giant, and the giant threatens to crush him. Odd and the Frost Giants is a delightful mock-epic in which Gaiman writes a crippled young boy into the world of the Norse gods. With little more than his (not so) simple understanding of human/god nature Odd conquers feats that leave the more-powerful themselves crippled, and with quiet perseverance he pursues a life more welcoming than the one in which he lives.
Despite Gaiman's never-ending love affair with comma splices, his young adult novel is quite charming. I would recommend it to young readers and parents alike.
Show Less
LibraryThing member theWallflower
I like it. It's short and sweet, classic hero's journey, coming of age, bildrungsroman. Takes place in Norse times with the fab three -- Odin, Loki, and Thor. Plenty of Gaiman-style humor--bickering among superpowers, themes of innocent, charming story elements, plenty of magic. It's hard to
Show More
describe it without spoiling anything. But it's a tasty treat, like an Oreo Blizzard. Show Less
LibraryThing member quantumbutterfly
I swear that Neil Gaiman as a special hotline to the gods of the Norse. First with American Gods, then the follow up short story about Shadow in Legends II, and now this short tale which would easily fit in among the sagas. Odd is a young man who stumbles upon some of the most notable Aesir while
Show More
trying to help out his family. Odin, Thor, and Loki have been thrown out of Asgard and changed into animals by frost giants, and Midgard is suffering under an unending winter. As is typical in much of the lore, it will take the quick thinking on Odd's part to meet the challenge presented to him. Most recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member little_prof
Gaiman has brought Norse mythology to life with the tale of Odd. Odd is, well, odd. He is a young man who has lost his father, lamed his leg, and been stuck with a bad example of a stepfather. But he always smiles. It really is rather irritating. When winter stretches on for several extra months
Show More
Odd decides to get away from his village. There are too many people packed in the hall, drinking, fighting, and playing dangerous games. Odd takes himself off to the woods where he runs into a bear, a fox, and an eagle who are more than they appear. A frost giant has taken over Asgard and banished Odin, Thor, and Loki to Midgard in animal form. Odd throws his lot in with the three gods and soon finds himself on a quest to save Aesir and his own people from the endless winter. Show Less
LibraryThing member titania86
Odd is a twelve year old boy with a rough life. His father died in a Viking raid; his mother married a man that he hates; he shatter his leg when cutting down a tree; and the people who live in his village constantly ridicule and abuse him. So, in the spring, which actually is a supernaturally
Odd and the Frost Giants is a very short, but interesting read. I think of it like Neil Gaiman-light for younger readers. Odd is the lowest of the low in his village. He is constantly ridiculed and is viewed as practically useless because of his handicap, but he takes everything in stride with a smile. This clever and good natured hero is also seen in fairy tales where he solves his problems in unorthodox ways despite being low in the dominance hierarchy. I like that real life problems mix with fantastical ones, like the loss of his parent and the abuse from his stepfather. Anyone can relate to Odd because, whether they are old or young, the reader may have experienced similar misfortunes. The story basically follows Joseph Campbell's hero journey, which I love. This formula is used in many myths throughout history, including The Odyssey and Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth. This form, coupled with the Norse mythological figures, makes the literature nerd in me very happy.
I love Neil Gaiman's style of writing. He writes in seemingly simplistic sentences, but it's full of wit and humor that is instilled in all of his writing. The illustrations by Brett Helquist accompanied the story very well with his own unique style that I grew to love in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. I really liked the story, but I felt it was more like a short story than a novel. I would love to read more of Odd's adventures. Although Odd and the Frost Giants isn't my favorite book, I would still urge both children and adults to read it.
Show More
extended winter, Odd sets out with some food to his father's cabin to live by himself. He encounters a fox who guides him to a bear, who was seeking honey, trapped with its arm in a tree. Odd frees the bear and discovers that these animals (plus an eagle) can talk. They are actually gods that were duped into these forms by the Frost Giants that have taken over Asgard. The bear is Thor, the one-eyed eagle is Odin, and the fox is Loki. Can Odd get Asgard and if he gets there, can he do anything to help the gods reclaim their home?Odd and the Frost Giants is a very short, but interesting read. I think of it like Neil Gaiman-light for younger readers. Odd is the lowest of the low in his village. He is constantly ridiculed and is viewed as practically useless because of his handicap, but he takes everything in stride with a smile. This clever and good natured hero is also seen in fairy tales where he solves his problems in unorthodox ways despite being low in the dominance hierarchy. I like that real life problems mix with fantastical ones, like the loss of his parent and the abuse from his stepfather. Anyone can relate to Odd because, whether they are old or young, the reader may have experienced similar misfortunes. The story basically follows Joseph Campbell's hero journey, which I love. This formula is used in many myths throughout history, including The Odyssey and Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth. This form, coupled with the Norse mythological figures, makes the literature nerd in me very happy.
I love Neil Gaiman's style of writing. He writes in seemingly simplistic sentences, but it's full of wit and humor that is instilled in all of his writing. The illustrations by Brett Helquist accompanied the story very well with his own unique style that I grew to love in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. I really liked the story, but I felt it was more like a short story than a novel. I would love to read more of Odd's adventures. Although Odd and the Frost Giants isn't my favorite book, I would still urge both children and adults to read it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member janoorani24
This was delightful. It was really more of a children's book than young adult, which is what I had expected, but it still held my attention. The story is written in the style of a Norse myth, and stays pretty true to the style without being too prosy. I loved Odd, and hope Gaiman will write more
Show More
about him in the future. Odd is the name of a crippled Viking boy who battles the Frost Giant who has taken over Asgard. He makes friends with the Gods, Odin, Thor, Loki, and Freya; and lives up to his name in more ways than one. Show Less
LibraryThing member chellerystick
This charming chapter book is about a little Norse boy who finds himself trying to help the gods. Neil Gaiman's elegant style is pared down without being dumbed down, so that adults and children alike will enjoy it. I know I did. There are several sweet black-and-white drawings to accompany the
I would guess that this book is probably targeted at the 9 to 12 year old range. At a little over 100 pages, and with heavily leaded text, it could be one of a child's first chapter books. The theme of secrets and wisdom would probably interest this age group as well, which means that although advanced readers would have no trouble reading this book in the 6 to 8 age range, they may not appreciate it as much unless they also have advanced social awareness.
I would say that this book would take an adult 1 to 2 hours to read, so perhaps 2 to 3 hours for the younger reader.
Don't forget to read the biography!
Show More
story, but they are not particularly necessary to the story.I would guess that this book is probably targeted at the 9 to 12 year old range. At a little over 100 pages, and with heavily leaded text, it could be one of a child's first chapter books. The theme of secrets and wisdom would probably interest this age group as well, which means that although advanced readers would have no trouble reading this book in the 6 to 8 age range, they may not appreciate it as much unless they also have advanced social awareness.
I would say that this book would take an adult 1 to 2 hours to read, so perhaps 2 to 3 hours for the younger reader.
Don't forget to read the biography!
Show Less
LibraryThing member -Eva-
Odd is a young Norseman who leaves his village and encounters a fox, an eagle, and a bear in the forest, three animals who are more than they seem and who needs Odd's help in Asgard. This is a really sweet tale that is quite similar to the fairy-tales I read as a kid - talking animals, Norse gods,
Show More
mean step-parents, and a happy ending. It's not an amazing story, but a nice way to spend a couple of hours. The illustrations are quite nice as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bitter_Grace
A little gem about a strangely optimistic boy named Odd and his encounter with the Frost Giants and gods of Norse mythology. And speaking of gods, Neil Gaiman seems to me the god of fantasy writing because almost everything he writes just grabs you and immerses you in a wonderful story.
I
I even enjoyed the author bio at the end, especially the part where he says that he may write more books about Odd. Yes please!
I
Show More
particularly like the sentiment: "...magic means letting things do what they wanted to do, or be what they wanted to be..."I even enjoyed the author bio at the end, especially the part where he says that he may write more books about Odd. Yes please!
Show Less
LibraryThing member ChristianR
This is a short book, so it's quite quick to read. It's about Odd, who lives in ancient Norway. Winter would not go away that year, which could bring ruin to the people. He encounters a bear, a fox and an eagle, who turn out to be gods who were tricked by the Frost Giant. The Frost Giant kicked
Show More
them out of their home, and did not allow the weather to turn warm. Although Odd is small and has a lame leg, he is intelligent and brave and is willing to help the gods return to their home. It is very well written and Odd is a likable character. I think it will appeal to both boys and girls. Show Less
LibraryThing member Girl_Detective
It’s a sweet fable set in Norway of a crippled boy named Odd, who helps out a few Norse gods in distress. It’s a short tale, told briskly. Odd is a good foil for the strong-willed gods, and an easy hero to cheer for.
While $14.99 seems a steep pricetag for this slim volume, it is beautifully
While $14.99 seems a steep pricetag for this slim volume, it is beautifully
Show More
bound in blue cloth, and contains lovely pencil illustrations by Brett Helquist. Overall, this runs a big lighter than much of Gaiman’s work, and would be a great readaloud for children who can manage to listen when there aren’t pictures on every page, and for young readers to read on their own. Gaiman wrote it for World Book Day in the UK, an event that seeks to inspire children to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member raizel
Odd, a lame orphan boy, saves the world and rescues Odin, Thor, and Loki who have been changed into an eagle, a bear, and a fox by a frost giant, who has brought perpetual winter to Midgard, the plane that the earth is on.
His solution involves figuring out what is in the block of wood that his
His solution involves figuring out what is in the block of wood that his
Show More
father had started and sculpted it and, more importantly, sitting down and listening and talking with the frost giant. We, the readers, understand that the real solution have no part in the story told by the gods. The book also asks, what do you do after you have conquered the world? Can you retire gracefully back to your old life? Can you admit that you've made a mistake? And on the other hand, how do you convince the conquerer to give up his conquest. Show Less
LibraryThing member naomio9
While this book does have some of the cleverness and spot-on characterization typical of Gaiman, it seemed a bit hollow, interesting characters for whom the action just doesn't seem significant. It was nice to see the Norse Gods after many years that they haven't crossed my path, and certainly it
Show More
is a light and pleasant read, but it will go straight to my classroom library, not likely to be thought of again, much less reread. Show Less
LibraryThing member SatansParakeet
This is the story of a mistreated young man going out to seek his fortune, but sort of accidentally. It's an entertaining children's book based on real Norse legends and told in a very simple fairy tale style. I highly recommend it for any young readers.
LibraryThing member tapestry100
Neil Gaiman wrote Odd and the Frost Giants for World Book Day in the UK. It is the story of Odd, a Viking child who has had some very bad luck in his short life: his father died, his leg is crushed, his mother remarries a not so kind stepfather, winter seems to never end. In frustration, Odd
It's a quick tale, and while it doesn't pull the reader into the heart of the story like some of his other books (The Graveyard Book, for instance), Gaiman's writing is still clever, fun and original. If you are a fan of Gaiman's work, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this story.
Show More
decides to leave his village and live in the woods. One day, Odd finds himself in the company of a fox, a bear and an eagle, and they have a story to tell Odd; a story that involves Asgard, Midgard, gods and giants, deceit and mischief and cleverness, and Odd finds himself eventually part of their story.It's a quick tale, and while it doesn't pull the reader into the heart of the story like some of his other books (The Graveyard Book, for instance), Gaiman's writing is still clever, fun and original. If you are a fan of Gaiman's work, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Odd is sort of odd, but that’s not what his name means. In Norse, his name means ‘tip of a blade’, which in my mind signifies strength. Looking at his skinny frame, watching him limp as he walks, Odd looks anything but strong. His stepfather feels the same way, always berating Odd. So, Odd
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman is a short novel inspired by Norse mythology. Odd learns that these animals can talk and the fox, the bear and the eagle have a strange story to tell. Odd, unlikely as he is, becomes their savior.
Gaiman tells a cute but not overly exciting story in this new book. It is not up to the high standards set in the Graveyard Book or Coraline. Odd and the animals are interesting characters. However, the lead in to Odd’s encounter with the Frost Giant as well as the actual encounter itself need something more…something to sink your teeth into and, in my opinion, Odd and the Frost Giants just doesn’t have it. While I would recommend you read the book (it won’t take long) because you’ll enjoy it, I more heartily recommend some of Gaiman’s other children’s books.
Show More
decides to leave home and ventures to his father’s hut in the forest, to live a solitary life. One day he hears something at his front door and peering out, he sees a fox. Odd fears that the fox will eat him, but also thinks that there’s not much of him to eat. The fox beckons Odd to follow him, so he does. He is led further into the forest where he finds a bear with his paw caught in a tree hollow, the result of his attempt to get some honey. Odd sets the bear free and thus begins his journey with the fox, the bear and an eagle that has been soaring overhead throughout this adventure.Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman is a short novel inspired by Norse mythology. Odd learns that these animals can talk and the fox, the bear and the eagle have a strange story to tell. Odd, unlikely as he is, becomes their savior.
Gaiman tells a cute but not overly exciting story in this new book. It is not up to the high standards set in the Graveyard Book or Coraline. Odd and the animals are interesting characters. However, the lead in to Odd’s encounter with the Frost Giant as well as the actual encounter itself need something more…something to sink your teeth into and, in my opinion, Odd and the Frost Giants just doesn’t have it. While I would recommend you read the book (it won’t take long) because you’ll enjoy it, I more heartily recommend some of Gaiman’s other children’s books.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Jakeofalltrades
"Odd and the Frost Giants" is the best Neil Gaiman book I've read in years. His children's fiction ranks very highly alongside J.K. Rowling's in quality, yet he has a very different style, using Norse mythology to weave together a heartwarming tale of a crippled boy who sets out on an adventure to
Show More
Asgard, but not without help. Gaiman makes the historical harshness of Viking lore appropriate for children, not by censoring himself or talking down to his readers, but simply by pointing out just how silly some elements of Norse life were. A good read for little warriors of all ages. Show Less
LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
Neil Gaiman has used figures from Viking Mythology to craft an entertaining story about twelve-year-old Odd. His father died during a raid, he has needed a crutch to walk ever since his foot was crushed beneath a tree and his mother has remarried to a man he dislikes. To make matters worse, spring
Show More
has not arrived and winter seems to be holding his village to ransom. Odd is so fed up he leaves home early one morning, struggling through the snow to his father’s old cabin in the forest. One day a fox leads him to a bear whose paw is caught fast in a tree whilst an eagle circles above. Odd helps the bear and learns that the three animals are really gods, transformed by the Frost Giant and expelled from Asgard. Odd determines to help them and sets out to confront the Frost Giant. This is a great story which I read aloud to my nine-year-old whilst they were studying Vikings at school. Gaiman uses some quite big words for this age group but this can be good as it will help to extend their vocabulary. Show Less
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2010)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Children's — 2012)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Fiction — 2010)
World Fantasy Award (Nominee — Novella — 2009)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2011)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2011)
USBBY Outstanding International Book (Grades 3-5 — 2010)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2012)
West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award (Nominee — 2011-2012)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2011)
CCBC Choices (2010)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2010)
Call number
J3C.Gai