Athena the Brain (Goddess Girls Book 1)

From School Library Journal Grade 3–6—Holub and Williams take readers into the world of the preteen goddesses at Mount Olympus Academy, which is staffed by the likes of Mr. Cyclops and the principal, Zeus. In the first book, 12-year-old Athena's life changes when a papyrus scroll blows into her window informing her that she's Zeus's daughter and must attend Mount Olympus Academy with the other "godboys" and "goddessgirls." At first she's doubtful she can balance school, a social life, and extracurricular activities; however, Athena proves her intellect by ending the Trojan War in Hero-ology, winning the invention fair, and thwarting mean-girl Medusa. In the second title, Persephone is a self-proclaimed phony. She's overly agreeable and conforms to the opinions and pressures of others. While escaping to Earth to get some peace, she wanders into a graveyard and begins a relationship with Hades, the misunderstood outcast. In the end, she learns that true friends will like you even if you express differing opinions. On top of Mount Olympus, the authors intertwine an enchanting mythological world with middle-school woes compounded by life as a deity or blessed mortal. The books should be popular with fans of girly, light fantasy. Be ready to refer readers to solid books on Greek mythology for further reading.— Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. From Booklist Everything changes for 12-year-old Athena the day she is summoned from Earth to Mount Olympus by none other than her (surprise!) dad, Zeus. She enrolls at Mount Olympus Academy, a place of godboys and goddessgirls, where classes like Hero-ology, Spell-ology, and Beauty-ology complete a proper goddess education. Jealous Medusa tries to sabotage Athena, but quick thinking and good friends help her prevail over the bitter girl with the weird hairdo. This is a clever take on Greek deities and the Trojan War, but younger readers may not appreciate just how adroitly the authors tell the tale and older readers may want a richer mixture of character and dialogue than exists in this candy-coated story. Still, aside from questions of audience, this is a quick, agreeable read particularly well suited for those who enjoy a good Disney princess movie now and then. The next book in the Goddess Girls series, Persephone the Phony, is already available. Grades 4-6. --Cindy Welch

ATHENA HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOVE AVERAGE. She's never quite fit in at Triton Junior High, but who would've guessed that Athena is actually a goddess? Principal Zeus's daughter, to be exact. When she's summoned to Mount Olympus Academy, Athena thinks she might actually fit in for the first time in her life. But in some ways, school on Mount Olympus is not that different from down on Earth, and Athena is going to have to deal with the baddest mean girl in history -- Medusa!

Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic myths with the Goddess Girls series. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

Athena has always been above average. She has never quite fit in at Triton Junior High, but who would've guessed that Athena is actually a goddess? Principal Zeus's daughter, to be exact. When she's summoned to Mount Olympus Academy, Athena thinks she might actually fit in for the first time in her life. But in some ways, school on Mount Olympus is not that different from down on Earth, and Athena is going to have to deal with the baddest mean girl in history: Medusa! In Athena the Brain , Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn't realize that she was a goddess! When she's whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad (Zeus). Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she's ever had. Athena learns that she is a goddess when she is summoned to Mount Olympus by her father, Zeus, and she must quickly adjust to her new status, make friends with the other godboys and goddessgirls, and catch up with all the studies she missed while attending mortal school.