 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Goddess Girls: Athena the Wise
- By Joan Holub
- Genre: Folklore
Common Sense Media says
Greek goddesses go to high school in clever classic update.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fifth installment of the Goddess Girls series stars Athena, a teenage goddess at the Mount Olympus Academy. This book will certainly introduce readers to names like Zeus,
Athena, Heracles, and more -- as well as some Greek myth. Readers
already familiar with some of the habits of the gods will get more out
of jokes, like the yambrosia stew the students eat -- or the name of their one-eyed Hero-ology teacher: Mr. Cyclops. There is a bit of low-level fantasy violence; Heracles is never without his club. He uses it to knock the heads of a
Hydra (causing it to sprout more), may have used to it to kill a few
"death-dealing birds of prey" -- and later threatens Hades with it. And there is a bit of flirting between the gods and goddesses -- Heracles even tries to kiss Athena. But Athena is a good role model who thinks a lot about revenge and forgiveness in this book -- including how she should act when only her pride is wounded.
What's the story?
When Heracles transfers to Mouth Olympus Academy, Principal Zeus asks his straight-A daughter Athena to befriend the "hotheaded" mortal during a trial period at the school. But then Athena learns Heracles needs to complete 12 tasks in order to get a permanent place at the school -- and Athena soon finds herself helping him fight a many-headed hydra and clean out King Augeas's poop-filled stable. How much will Athena risk for the new heartthrob student -- especially when she has her own problems to deal with, including a rude mortal who challenges her to a weaving contest.
Is it any good?
This book will resonate best with readers already somewhat familiar with the Greek gods and some of their myths. Knowing something about Athena, Heracles, and the 12 labors will make the story easier to follow -- and will make it easier to get some of the book's jokes (the students at Mount Olympus Academy eat yambrosia stew and have a one-eyed Hero-ology teacher named Mr. Cyclops, for example). Even so, even readers new to Greek mythology will get quite an education in this clever update -- though they may get a bit bored as Heracles works through his many tasks. Kids will find a spirited, strong heroine in Athena -- and a surprisingly thoughtful message as she struggles with revenge and forgiveness. In the end, this series has a clever premise and provides a good mix of educational and entertaining elements.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Greek myths. How much did you know about Zeus, Athena, or Heracles before you read this book? Parents may want to encourage their kids to check out D'Aulaires' Book Of Greek Myths and compare it to the stories here. Why have these characters and stories endured?
This is the fifth installment in a series about the gods and goddesses at Mount Olympus Academy. What's fun about reading a series? Why would authors want to write a series -- or publishers want to publish one?
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Kid, 12 years old
September 11, 2011
AGE
A very fun book involving Greek mythology!
This book is not the best example of literature, but is a very fun story. Book 5 in the goddess girls series, this story deals with heavier concepts than the earlier books. Athena considers revenge a lot when a mortal insults her and her friends say that she should have punished that mortal. Instead Athena competes with that girl to prove who is the better weaver. Also, Athena deals with love and relationships when she is asked to help Heracles, and ends up "liking" him. Athena is a smart girl who is a good role model, as she knows she can forgive the many insults and injuries (some to her pride) that she receives, instead of just having to thoughtlessly punish everyone who gives her the tiniest insult. This book is a good introduction to some Greek myths, even if they aren't always perfectly accurate.
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Kid, 11 years old
September 11, 2011
AGE
A great book for girls
This book is good for girls 9 and up. Athena is a good role model in that she is smart and has good judgement. It doesn't mater if you have read the rest of the series. It is fun even if you've never read any greek myths, but you get more out of it if you have read greek myths. This book is based on real greek myths but with fun changes that make them more interesting so it's good if you are learning a little bit of greek myths. If you like it when characters have magical powers this is a good book for you. A nice thing about it is you feel like the characters are real people and you care about them!
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AGE
Normalizes bad behavior among peers
My daughter is addicted to this series and I thought, it can't be too bad for her to love books and learn about Greek mythology. After finding her in bed up late reading with a nightlight, I took the book and began reading it myself. It is disappointing in how caddy, manipulative, backstabbing, gossipy, and stereotyped (particularly for the girls) it is. They are very mean to each other and wield their power to reek havoc on others carelessly. I realize that is how the Greek Gods were depicted in any case from a historic perspective, but to see that behavior played out in a high school, very relateable setting, is disturbing. It smacks of bullying and harassment in a way that I would like to help my children learn is OK, not entertainment.
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| Author: | Joan Holub |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Folklore |
| Publisher: | Aladdin |
| Publication date: | April 5, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 256 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 8 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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