The Goddess Girls Series
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Joan Holub's Goddess Girls series may seem like a light read, with the constant mention of which godboy is crushing on which goddess girl, but there are layers to the stories that won't go unnoticed by young readers. The young goddess girls struggle with their talents throughout the series -- each girl wonders if she'll ever fit in -- but they always learn that they're great and powerful just the way they are. The students can be a bit petty with each other, and there's some social hierarchy in play, but the constant lessons in Greek mythology give historical context for the stories and characters.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Really cute, light books
Beautiful Description
Fast-paced, excellent story may be hard to understand for younger kids
What's the story?
The GODDESS GIRLS series starts when Athena gets a scroll inviting her to Mount Olympus Academy, and discovers that 1) she's immortal, and 2) Zeus is her father. As if that isn't enough for a kid to bear, she feels out of place and inadequate. After she arrives at MOA, she meets other immortals her age: Artemis, Persephone, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Eros, and more. Each book is written from the perspective of a goddess girl, and deals with both the specific -- for example, how do you stop a goddess whose gift is gossip to stop gossiping when it hurts people? -- and the more general questions about fitting in and building up your own special gifts.
Is it any good?
The Goddess Girls series might seem light, with many references to hair, makeup, and crushes, but it's surprisingly deep when it comes to lessons in self-acceptance. Navigating insecurities is a big theme in these books, as is learning to see differences as strengths and to appreciate everyone's individual talents. Young readers who might be trying to figure out the social scene at school or wonder about their own "weird things" might start seeing those things as strengths, or at least noticing that everyone is odd in their own way. There's a little social maneuvering at MOA, which will be familiar to most readers, but the godboys and goddess girls learn that being open and honest is best.
Readers fascinated by Greek mythology will enjoy seeing their favorite gods and goddesses as kids their own age, and there's a strong message about seeing the big picture when making decisions and doing the right thing.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the Goddess Girls relate to each other. The students at MOA don't always get along, but they live at school together. Do you think it would be hard to live with your classmates?
Which goddess girl or godboy would you like to be, and why?
What other books about gods and goddesses have you read?
Book details
- Authors: Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams
- Genre: Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Misfits and Underdogs
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Publication date: April 6, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 176
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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