Odd Gods (Odd Gods #1)

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. [em](May) [/em]