Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

 Neil Gaiman takes diverse tales of Norse Mythology and weaves them into a single narrative. He starts with creation myths, and then focuses on the adventures of Odin, Thor and Loki. He includes origin stories, trickster tales, and battles with various giants. He finishes the books with the traditional predictions of Ragnarak with its portent of utter destruction followed by rebirth. 

It is hard to think of anyone better to retell Norse Mythology than Neil Gaiman. He is is an amazing storyteller and never shies away from gruesome or shocking details.  He does a great job portraying the personalities of the various gods as he sees them.  Odin, is obsessed with obtaining knowledge is will to sacrifice anything to get it.  Thor is basically good hearted, but brutish and not very bright.  Loki is the most clever, but is without morals.  He is as likely to kill another god as to help him/her. Gaiman includes a lot of humor, some of it very irreverent.  In fact, I had a hard time deciding for what age group this book would be appropriate. Much of it would be super engaging to upper elementary and middle school readers, but there is some open discussion of adultery and sexual promiscuity. They are, after all, essential elements of the mythology.  I think I would probably put the book in the teen nonfiction section, but I would be willing to suggest it to less sheltered 6th or 7th graders.(2017, 304p.)