Kid Beowulf: The Song of Roland

Beowulf and Grendel are hiking to find their uncle, Holger, in Francia. Hrothgar gave them letters written by Holger, talking about how he met the Peers, King Charlemagne’s knights. They think he is a foe, but he helps them defeat the enemy in battle, so the king makes him a Peer. Roland is a kid. He is the king’s nephew. Ganelon is Roland’s step-father. Roland defeats a giant and becomes a Peer, too. Charlemagne sends Ganelon to bring a deal to Marsilion of Hispanic. Marsilion wants power over Francia. Ganelon wants to help him because he wants to see Charlemagne fall. When Beowulf and Grendel find Holger, they get ambushed by thugs. Holger and the other Peers rescue them. The Peers are hiding in the woods because they were exiled by Ganelon. Will Beowulf and Grendel help save Francia? Read the book to find out.

I found this book confusing. It wasn’t as good as the first one. Going back and forth between the past and present was hard. The beginning part is the real Song of Roland story. I like the Kid Beowulf version better. It’s funnier and there is less bloodshed. It’s also less scary. In the back is “More to Explore.” I like the Character List and Character Map the best.