Odd Gods (Odd Gods #1)

 Stay tuned for further mishaps and mythic misadventures.

Gr 4-6--Everyone knows the gods, but most have never heard of the odd ones. Oddonis, brother of Adonis, is the misfit of his family. He has yet to have any godly powers like his brother, and isn't exactly good-looking like Adonis. When things seem to keep getting worse for him and his friends, Oddonis decides enough is enough and runs for class president. With the odds against him, can Oddonis win the election and bring change to Mt. Olympus Middle School? Oddonis and his friends are well developed, engaging, relatable characters who will draw readers into the story with ease. The plot is funny and will resonate well with fans of Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series. The illustrations are eye-catching, complementary to the text, and bring the characters to life. VERDICT Recommended for library collections where fantasy/humor mash-ups are popular.--Kira Moody, Salt Lake County Library Services

In this first in a planned series, Slavin (Young Dick Cheney) and newcomer Weitzman introduce Oddonis, twin of popular, handsome Adonis and imperfect son of deities Zeus and Freya. The opposite of most deities, Oddonis isn't strong, athletic, or artistic, and he has no idea what his talent is. Oddonis's similarly awkward cadre of friends includes pal Mathena, goddess of math and poultry, and best friend Gaseous (son of Uranus and Refried Bean Queen Chalupa), whose farts smell of "feta cheese, a wet ferret, and feet." Running against his brother for class president, Oddonis seeks to become the voice for the "odds" of Mount Olympus Middle School, find his unique godly power, and impress his father. Oddonis's transition from outsider to a leader who sees his individuality as a strength shines through the nonstop gross-out humor and silliness. Frequent nods to well-known mythological figures will draw in readers interested in the topic, and black-and-white illustrations by Lane (Stop Thief!), which amplify the comedy, will appeal to readers of graphic hybrids. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (May)