Vatsala Sperling

Karna, who is the son of the Sun God and Princess Kunti, but raised by a poor charioteer and his wife, desires to be the best archer in the world. When he comes to quarrel with his half-brothers, the Pandava brothers, his inborn traits of generosity and loyalty prove to be his downfall, as he is pledged to the side of the evil Duryodhana. This adaptation of a story from the Indian epic the Mahabharata is told in a competent though plain style. An introduction, illustrated cast of characters, and end note to parents and teachers prove useful, as the story is full of many characters with names unfamiliar to a western audience, and understanding the story hinges on knowing the alliances and traits of the characters. Much of the story and character development is told rather than shown, and the tale seems loosely delineated. The illustrations are done with a traditional water-color and tempera wash technique, which adds authenticity to the feel of the book. However, this book is text-heavy, with many pages of almost solid text. Recommended for third through fifth graders, or anyone looking to improve the multicultural content of their collection.… (meer)