The Sea-Wolf

.span style = 'font-weight:bold'>Gr 8 Up—Humphrey Van Weyden is a literary critic who, due to his large inheritance, has never had to work a day in his life. During a routine voyage, his ship is sunk and he is rescued by a vessel called Ghost, where he is forced into service by the ship's terrifying captain, Wolf Larsen. Throughout the course of his time aboard Ghost, the protagonist is challenged to grow physically and mentally. At the outset, Larsen appears to be nothing more than a frightening and unpredictable ship captain. Van Weyden soon learns that the man is an autodidact, who enjoys partaking in philosophical arguments and solving complex problems. Unfortunately, Larsen's cruel and abusive nature dominates his behavior, thus leading to death and destruction. This graphic novelization of London's classic makes it accessible to low-level and reluctant readers. The illustrations are drawn so as to emphasize the wild passion and tense tone of Van Weyden's various interactions and observations while on the vessel. Similar in style to popular superhero comics, the book's chapters are each assigned a monochromatic color theme, which greatly enhances the work's mood. For example, the chapter in which Larsen attempts to assault a young woman and Van Weyden intervenes is depicted in red tones emphasizing the tension, violence, and approaching climax. The detailed images give readers a clear understanding of the basic themes and storyline so that they may better focus their attention on comprehending the dialogue. This title would be an excellent addition to any library or classroom.—Annalise Ammer, City of Rochester Public Libraries, NY