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Medusa Jones
It's off to ancient Greece for a split-your-side funny take on the politics of junior-high popularity.
In ancient Greece lived a little girl called Medusa Jones. Medusa was a Gorgon, but apart from that, pretty normal. So she has snakes for hair instead of gorgeous blond ringlets like Cassandra. So her best friend is half horse. Is that any reason for the popular kids to be SO mean?
Medusa's sure the school camping trip is going to be a nightmare. But a rock fall puts the popular kids in peril, and Medusa's the only one who can help. Will she be a hero -- or is her monster side finally going to come out? It's Freaks versus Heroes, brought to life by Ross Collins's hilarious illustrations!
In ancient Greece lived a little girl called Medusa Jones. Medusa was a Gorgon, but apart from that, pretty normal. So she has snakes for hair instead of gorgeous blond ringlets like Cassandra. So her best friend is half horse. Is that any reason for the popular kids to be SO mean?
Medusa's sure the school camping trip is going to be a nightmare. But a rock fall puts the popular kids in peril, and Medusa's the only one who can help. Will she be a hero -- or is her monster side finally going to come out? It's Freaks versus Heroes, brought to life by Ross Collins's hilarious illustrations!
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Ross Collins
181 books44 followersRoss was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1972.
He would eat anything and resembled a currant bun.
As he grew up he was fond of drawing, the Bionic Man and precariously swinging backwards on chairs.
He graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 1994 with a First in Illustration. In the same year he won the MacMillan Children's Book Prize an achievement that opened many doors in the Big Smoke.
Ross then spent two years in London cultivating an exotic image of the scribbling Scotsman abroad.
Longing for the cold and damp of the North, Ross returned to Glasgow, where he spends his time writing and illustrating children's books, doing animation character development, walking the dug by the banks of Loch Lomond and precariously swinging backwards on chairs.
from http://www.rosscollins.net/whothisguy...
He would eat anything and resembled a currant bun.
As he grew up he was fond of drawing, the Bionic Man and precariously swinging backwards on chairs.
He graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 1994 with a First in Illustration. In the same year he won the MacMillan Children's Book Prize an achievement that opened many doors in the Big Smoke.
Ross then spent two years in London cultivating an exotic image of the scribbling Scotsman abroad.
Longing for the cold and damp of the North, Ross returned to Glasgow, where he spends his time writing and illustrating children's books, doing animation character development, walking the dug by the banks of Loch Lomond and precariously swinging backwards on chairs.
from http://www.rosscollins.net/whothisguy...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 6, 2008
I read a lot of "meaningful" books without wanting to. When you review books for children there's a sort of assumption that if you want to be familiar with the cream of the yearly crop then you need to immerse yourself in a smattering of dead moms, deadbeat dads, anger issues, historical fiction, etc. And that's all well and good for a while, but after months and months of it, a person begins to crack. Maybe, just maybe, I should read something fun and funny and well written and just downright bizarre. Maybe, I should read "Medusa Jones". I look at it this way; if you can't find humor in the idea of a kid with snakes coming out of her head then you're not considering it properly. It's a fabulous concept! Taking everyone's favorite myths and plopping them smack dab in a middle school muddle, author Ross Collins creates new humor from very VERY old material.
You would think that being a Gorgon would have certain advantages, wouldn't you? Yet for Medusa Jones, the fact that she has snakes instead of hair makes her nothing but a freak in the eyes of her fellow students. She's particularly loathed by "The Champions", Perseus, Theseus, and Cassandra. It's not like Medusa doesn't have friends. There's her nerdy buddy Chiron the centaur and Mino the Minotaur (perpetually late due to his maze-like house) but they're no more popular than she is. Then, to top it all off, the worst possible thing happens. There's to be a class trip and Medusa's crew is stuck on a hike up Mount Olympus with, you guessed it, the Champions. She's certain that this will be a misery for everyone involved, but to the surprise of everyone, the trip turns out very well in the end.
The real selling point of this book, however, is that it's an early chapter book. Early chapter books, particularly GOOD early chapter books, are as rare as four-leaf-clovers in May. They're out there, but you're gonna have to rip through a lot of disappointments before you find them. What Collins is offering us here is a chance to sate the mythology-minded third to fourth grade set without having to hand them 500+ page fantasy novels. The illustrations struck me as particularly good too. They're just simple line drawings done in pencil, but they've got "it", baby. Collins melds the old-timey with the contemporary well. Sure, everyone's wearing sandals, but Medusa's have the thick soles you'll see on kids' shoes today. I was also unaccountably fond of Medusa's "headsnakes". If you're going to have a full head of them then they'd better have personality, and boy howdy do they ever. And the kick-butt moment near the end when Medusa uses her powers for good is awesome. Collins is good at the quiet little moments too. There's one shot of Medusa sitting forlornly against her mother, contemplating great misery to come, that is surprisingly touching. Medusa is leaning up against her mom in an entirely natural position. It may not be much, but I liked it.
It's a lighthearted jaunt. A saucy n'er-do-well spree, if you will. It's fun and the kid who finds it and reads it will enjoy it. It is also, however, just a bit gory at times. There were two moments in this book that threw me completely off guard. At one point Medusa attempts to change her entire look by getting her hair done. Unfortunately for the stylist, he mistakes her snakes for a clever hair choice and learns his mistake too late. There's an image of him staring in abject horror after the first snip at his scissors, now dripping blood, that's a bit with the gross. And then there is the last page of the book. I won't give it away or anything, but I kind of felt that it was an unnecessary gag and that the entire novel would have been far stronger without it.
As I've mentioned, a good early chapter book is a joy and a wonder. "Medusa Jones" isn't going to go about winning any literary awards but it's bound to be beloved. And that, I think, is reward enough. A great read for those kids still too young for "The Lightning Thief".
You would think that being a Gorgon would have certain advantages, wouldn't you? Yet for Medusa Jones, the fact that she has snakes instead of hair makes her nothing but a freak in the eyes of her fellow students. She's particularly loathed by "The Champions", Perseus, Theseus, and Cassandra. It's not like Medusa doesn't have friends. There's her nerdy buddy Chiron the centaur and Mino the Minotaur (perpetually late due to his maze-like house) but they're no more popular than she is. Then, to top it all off, the worst possible thing happens. There's to be a class trip and Medusa's crew is stuck on a hike up Mount Olympus with, you guessed it, the Champions. She's certain that this will be a misery for everyone involved, but to the surprise of everyone, the trip turns out very well in the end.
The real selling point of this book, however, is that it's an early chapter book. Early chapter books, particularly GOOD early chapter books, are as rare as four-leaf-clovers in May. They're out there, but you're gonna have to rip through a lot of disappointments before you find them. What Collins is offering us here is a chance to sate the mythology-minded third to fourth grade set without having to hand them 500+ page fantasy novels. The illustrations struck me as particularly good too. They're just simple line drawings done in pencil, but they've got "it", baby. Collins melds the old-timey with the contemporary well. Sure, everyone's wearing sandals, but Medusa's have the thick soles you'll see on kids' shoes today. I was also unaccountably fond of Medusa's "headsnakes". If you're going to have a full head of them then they'd better have personality, and boy howdy do they ever. And the kick-butt moment near the end when Medusa uses her powers for good is awesome. Collins is good at the quiet little moments too. There's one shot of Medusa sitting forlornly against her mother, contemplating great misery to come, that is surprisingly touching. Medusa is leaning up against her mom in an entirely natural position. It may not be much, but I liked it.
It's a lighthearted jaunt. A saucy n'er-do-well spree, if you will. It's fun and the kid who finds it and reads it will enjoy it. It is also, however, just a bit gory at times. There were two moments in this book that threw me completely off guard. At one point Medusa attempts to change her entire look by getting her hair done. Unfortunately for the stylist, he mistakes her snakes for a clever hair choice and learns his mistake too late. There's an image of him staring in abject horror after the first snip at his scissors, now dripping blood, that's a bit with the gross. And then there is the last page of the book. I won't give it away or anything, but I kind of felt that it was an unnecessary gag and that the entire novel would have been far stronger without it.
As I've mentioned, a good early chapter book is a joy and a wonder. "Medusa Jones" isn't going to go about winning any literary awards but it's bound to be beloved. And that, I think, is reward enough. A great read for those kids still too young for "The Lightning Thief".
April 2, 2012
Medusa Jones by Ross Collins is a funny book incorporated with some Greek mythology. Medusa Jones is a girl in Rome very unpopular because of her hair, doesn't fit in and gets picked on everyday at school. But after a school field trip she becomes a hero by helping save her worst enemy and one of her best friend. Other than that Medusa is very kind, outgoing, and a good friend. Medusa's best friend, Chiron, is a centaur which means half horse, half human. Chiron is heroic, kind and loving. He is always looking for someone who needs help, he even rescued his worst enemy. Chiron also has a good sense of humor. I enjoyed this book because it was very funny and incorporated many Greek names and places. For example Agamemnon Avenue, Acropolis Academy, Perseus, Theseus, Zeus, Achilles, Athens, Mount Olympus and many more. It also incorporated objects once used in Rome like a satchel and a chariot. I recommend this book to mainly fifth graders because Ross Collins made it very easy to get across the Greek mythology for example like I said the Latin places and names, also how Medusa can turn things to stone.
July 21, 2020
3 1/2 stars
May 10, 2010
I picked this book up thinking I needed something to booktalk for our FLYP programs. I thought it fit in with the whole Greek-mythology craze that is going on. I loved it!
Medusas a preteen who is experiencing a constant Bad-Hair-Day. To make matters worse, she goes to school with the Champions, the sons and daughters of the gods. They tease her and her friends, a centaur and a minotaur, mercilessly. Obviously, she's not thrilled when they're all forced to take a hiking trip together to the top of Mt. Olympis. Luckily, she brings her dog, Cerberus along.
The humor in this book is quick and smart. I loved the idea of these mythological creatures dealing with everyday preteen issues. I think this is a great forerunner to books like The Lightning Thief. We'll see how it goes over with the kids:)
Medusas a preteen who is experiencing a constant Bad-Hair-Day. To make matters worse, she goes to school with the Champions, the sons and daughters of the gods. They tease her and her friends, a centaur and a minotaur, mercilessly. Obviously, she's not thrilled when they're all forced to take a hiking trip together to the top of Mt. Olympis. Luckily, she brings her dog, Cerberus along.
The humor in this book is quick and smart. I loved the idea of these mythological creatures dealing with everyday preteen issues. I think this is a great forerunner to books like The Lightning Thief. We'll see how it goes over with the kids:)
October 13, 2013
Medusa Jones by Ross Collins (2008)
Genre: Juvenile Chapter Book
Format: Book
Plot summary:In ancient Greece, Medusa Jones, a gorgon, and her friends, a minotaur and a centaur, are mocked and sneered at by the other Acropolis Academy children whose parents are kings and gods, but when they go on a school camping trip together, the "freaks" become true heroes.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory (strong language, sex, death, religious overtones, violence, etc.)
Review citation (if available): Novelist, Carton, Debbie Booklist , December 1 2007, Vol. 104 Issue 7, p41-42
Section source used to find the material:The Center for Children's Books: Contemporary Retellings from Mythology (May 2013)
Recommended age: 9-12 years old
Genre: Juvenile Chapter Book
Format: Book
Plot summary:In ancient Greece, Medusa Jones, a gorgon, and her friends, a minotaur and a centaur, are mocked and sneered at by the other Acropolis Academy children whose parents are kings and gods, but when they go on a school camping trip together, the "freaks" become true heroes.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory (strong language, sex, death, religious overtones, violence, etc.)
Review citation (if available): Novelist, Carton, Debbie Booklist , December 1 2007, Vol. 104 Issue 7, p41-42
Section source used to find the material:The Center for Children's Books: Contemporary Retellings from Mythology (May 2013)
Recommended age: 9-12 years old
May 22, 2017
Very, very cute, with wonderful pencil drawings that help bring the story to life. It's a little bizarre to read about Medusa, Chiron and Minotaur helping the same beings who, mythologically-speaking, destroy them in adulthood. Not to mention that the various characters don't exactly match their historical stories. All the same, the story is clever, well-told and has a great little moral at the end.
August 25, 2013
i would have enjoyed this book a lot more if everyone had been a bit,just a bit,nicer to medusa and her friends. even there teacher was mean to them! other wise this book was good ,but deffenetly not the best book i've read.
When Medusa and her friends ,Mino the minotor and Chiron the centuer, have to go on a field trip to mount Olympus with the Champions, these freaks become true heros.
When Medusa and her friends ,Mino the minotor and Chiron the centuer, have to go on a field trip to mount Olympus with the Champions, these freaks become true heros.
February 3, 2016
This book is so important to me because this was the book that got me interested in Greek mythology. If I didn't read this book I would probably not be the person I am today.
February 5, 2019
Medusa is adorable, and I love the way Collins breathes new life into the story of Medusa. She grows up, has a family, grows into a grouchy old woman who turns postmen and salesmen into stones. Flash forward to her granddaughter, Medusa Jones. She goes to school with the Champions who tease and mock her. Her desire is to just end the bullying by turning them to stone, but mom and dad say, "no." Medusa has to find another way to solve her problems and rise above the name calling.
Medusa Jones and her rag tag, freak friends are awkwardly paired with the champions for a night of adventure on Mount Olympus. It is here at the summit that Medusa has to test her personal resolve to not resort to violence in the face of cruelty from the Champions.
Medusa Jones and her rag tag, freak friends are awkwardly paired with the champions for a night of adventure on Mount Olympus. It is here at the summit that Medusa has to test her personal resolve to not resort to violence in the face of cruelty from the Champions.
August 8, 2017
This book had me at Medusa. Cleverly written, Medusa Jones and her buddies, Chiron and Mino, must deal with bullying from "The Champions", Perseus, Theseus, and Cassandra, on a daily basis. And the worst part is that Medusa's parents will not allow her to turn them to stone. When the Champions and the "freaks", as Medusa and her friends are called, go on a Mount Olympus camping trip together, the tables turn and there are new heroes in Ancient Greece. This title has a lot of fun with mythology for those young readers who are a fan of that genre.
July 14, 2019
I loved the character of Medusa Jones and how the author decided to display the Greek Mythological characters in the story. This is a good story for younger audiences to enjoy and learn about Greek Mythology in a way which they can understand. There may be some vocabulary that they could struggle with but with the help of a dictionary, you will really enjoy it.
February 17, 2018
I've read these kind of children's books about bullying like seventy-seven bajillion times, but I do have to appreciate the sheer cuteness this book has. Never has Greek mythology been this adorable. :)
August 16, 2018
Somehow this book manages to introduce a young audience to Greek mythology, tackle bullying, promote self-acceptance, show how to own up to your mistakes, and teach how to be the bigger person. All without getting too heavy or emotional. Surprisingly quite a joy to read!
October 5, 2017
The girl is getting bullying and she did it know how to stand up for her self but at the end she did and it showed me that it can really hurt someone if ur making fun of them
June 18, 2019
Helped the bullies, crowned new champions.
June 8, 2012
Collins, R. (2008). Medusa Jones. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
137 pages.
Appetizer: Medusa Jones is teased and bullied by the champions at her school. She just wants to be normal, but having snakes on your head pretty much makes that impossible. And no matter how much she begs, her parents won't let her turn the bullies to stone. (Annoying parents.)
Along with her friends and fellow outsiders, Chiron and Mino, Medusa must go on a camping trip with the Champions on Mount Olympus. The question is, will they all return?
The setting of Medusa Jones is this anachronistic version of Athens, Greece that has schools and newspapers and suburban looking home but everyone also wanders around wearing togas and the Greek gods and heroes are big in the news. On top of that, Collins seemed to choose his good and bad guys among the characters of myth in what seemed to be a willy-nilly fashion. Sure both Medusa and Mino the Minotaur are traditionally "bad guys" who deserve redemption, but generally Chiron the centaur is perceived as a good guy and teacher. It was interesting to see the traditional heroes (Theseus and Perseus) portrayed as bullies, but I was a little sad to see Cassandra in their number, since I see her as a kind of tortured hero who wouldn't be a bully. (I could see her going goth as opposed to popular and petty.)
It also took awhile for the actual plot of the story to develop. The camping aspect wasn't introduced until about half way. I found myself wishing that Medusa's friends had been introduced sooner. Collins first shows Medusa going through a miserable week seemingly on her own. Her friends are introduced on the weekend, then on Monday *surprise* her friends do attend the same school, her teacher is Medea and they're going camping. I wanted more cohesion! (Was that a very long ramble to get to my point? It kind of feels like it was.)
I also wasn't too crazy about the ending. It felt like the punch line of a joke.
Don't let my criticisms get you down though. I found Medusa Jones to be very fun. The illustrations were a nice touch.
I did have a little trouble pegging down the age appropriateness of the book. It has plenty of illustrations (completed by the author) and it reads like an early chapter book, great for about second grade, but every now and then there's some advanced vocabulary (like gorgeous, pessimistic, deficiencies, etc.). Because of that, I'd probably use the book as a one-on-one read aloud so the child would have access to all the pictures, but wouldn't be on his or her own for sounding out the difficult words.
Dinner Conversation:
"Pleeeaase can I turn them to stone?" Medusa begged.
"It's not the polite thing to do, dear," said MEdusa's mom.
"They're not polite," Medusa said. "They were mean about my hair again today."
"Sticks and stones, Medusa," said Medusa's mom. "You can't go turning everyone who's mean about your hair to stone."
"Gran did," Medusa scowled.
"Gran is insane and lives in a cave" (p. 3).
"The Champions always stood at the school gates in the morning. They got up early each and every day. Brushed their shiny white teeth, which would be just as shiny and bright if they never saw toothpaste. Put on their dazzlingly white chitons and got to school before everyone else. The Champions considered it their duty to remind everyone of their deficiencies firs thing in the morning" (p. 14).
"What'll we do?" Chiron asked. "We have to go look," said Medusa. She amazed herself even as she said it.
"Why?" Mino asked. "They wouldn't cross the road to help us."
"I know," Medusa answered. "But we're not them, and we can't just sit here and listen to that [screaming]. It's awful" (p. 103).
137 pages.
Appetizer: Medusa Jones is teased and bullied by the champions at her school. She just wants to be normal, but having snakes on your head pretty much makes that impossible. And no matter how much she begs, her parents won't let her turn the bullies to stone. (Annoying parents.)
Along with her friends and fellow outsiders, Chiron and Mino, Medusa must go on a camping trip with the Champions on Mount Olympus. The question is, will they all return?
The setting of Medusa Jones is this anachronistic version of Athens, Greece that has schools and newspapers and suburban looking home but everyone also wanders around wearing togas and the Greek gods and heroes are big in the news. On top of that, Collins seemed to choose his good and bad guys among the characters of myth in what seemed to be a willy-nilly fashion. Sure both Medusa and Mino the Minotaur are traditionally "bad guys" who deserve redemption, but generally Chiron the centaur is perceived as a good guy and teacher. It was interesting to see the traditional heroes (Theseus and Perseus) portrayed as bullies, but I was a little sad to see Cassandra in their number, since I see her as a kind of tortured hero who wouldn't be a bully. (I could see her going goth as opposed to popular and petty.)
It also took awhile for the actual plot of the story to develop. The camping aspect wasn't introduced until about half way. I found myself wishing that Medusa's friends had been introduced sooner. Collins first shows Medusa going through a miserable week seemingly on her own. Her friends are introduced on the weekend, then on Monday *surprise* her friends do attend the same school, her teacher is Medea and they're going camping. I wanted more cohesion! (Was that a very long ramble to get to my point? It kind of feels like it was.)
I also wasn't too crazy about the ending. It felt like the punch line of a joke.
Don't let my criticisms get you down though. I found Medusa Jones to be very fun. The illustrations were a nice touch.
I did have a little trouble pegging down the age appropriateness of the book. It has plenty of illustrations (completed by the author) and it reads like an early chapter book, great for about second grade, but every now and then there's some advanced vocabulary (like gorgeous, pessimistic, deficiencies, etc.). Because of that, I'd probably use the book as a one-on-one read aloud so the child would have access to all the pictures, but wouldn't be on his or her own for sounding out the difficult words.
Dinner Conversation:
"Pleeeaase can I turn them to stone?" Medusa begged.
"It's not the polite thing to do, dear," said MEdusa's mom.
"They're not polite," Medusa said. "They were mean about my hair again today."
"Sticks and stones, Medusa," said Medusa's mom. "You can't go turning everyone who's mean about your hair to stone."
"Gran did," Medusa scowled.
"Gran is insane and lives in a cave" (p. 3).
"The Champions always stood at the school gates in the morning. They got up early each and every day. Brushed their shiny white teeth, which would be just as shiny and bright if they never saw toothpaste. Put on their dazzlingly white chitons and got to school before everyone else. The Champions considered it their duty to remind everyone of their deficiencies firs thing in the morning" (p. 14).
"What'll we do?" Chiron asked. "We have to go look," said Medusa. She amazed herself even as she said it.
"Why?" Mino asked. "They wouldn't cross the road to help us."
"I know," Medusa answered. "But we're not them, and we can't just sit here and listen to that [screaming]. It's awful" (p. 103).
Read
October 13, 2015Title: Medusa Jones
Author: Ross Collins
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): Friendship, Mythology
Opening line/sentence: “PLEEEAASE can I turn them to stone? Medusa begged.”
Brief Book Summary: Medusa is a girl who has snakes for hair and a best friend who’s half horse, which causes her to be made fun of quite often. When her school takes a camping trip she is very worried that it’s going to be a complete nightmare but instead she turns into the hero saving the “popular” crowd.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (3) 4-6 Medusa isn't like other little girls, and Perseus and his friends are always making fun of her. When a camping trip turns dangerous, only she can save everyone. The black-and-white drawings effectively use varied line weights to convey different character traits and events. Though kids may not get every allusion to Greek mythology, this humorous book stands out as something fresh. (Horn Book)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Heroes and monsters of Greek mythology go to middle school in this clever, illustrated chapter book. Medusa Jones, Chiron (the centaur), and Mino (half bull) are labeled as the school Freaks and are constantly teased by the self-proclaimed Champions: Theseus (all brawn, no brain), Perseus (bigoted and cruel), and Cassandra (vain and vicious). An overnight camping trip to Mount Olympus pits these two groups against each other, and the Freaks end up saving the day. The unexpected, creative mix of classical mythology references and contemporary middle-school dialogue will keep young people chortling. Reluctant readers will appreciate the sophisticated humor, widely spaced text, and appealing cartoon-style illustrations. It’s hard to resist a book whose opening line is PLEEEAASE can I turn them to stone? Medusa begged. (Debbie Carton, CLCD)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Addressing the illustrations in both reviews, they are very pleasing and their style gives them the ability to portray character traits well. The inclusion of Greek mythology into current schooling allows for the reader to learn about mythology in a fun and different way. The creativity draws the reader in from the start and keeps us on our toes the entire time.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The clear allusion to Greek mythology throughout the book is enough to capture the attention of the reader. While this is not the exact story of Medusa and her other Greek companions, it allows the reader to understand the basic concepts. Humor also plays a big role in the story, as Medusa is a middle schooler with snakes for hair and has a centaur for a best friend.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In my classroom, I would use this book as an introduction to Greek mythology. Allowing students to make predictions about their roles in the actual stories based on their character in the story. Students reading this fun story would also give them a way that they could apply these concepts to their own life and make the connection.
Author: Ross Collins
Genre: Myth
Theme(s): Friendship, Mythology
Opening line/sentence: “PLEEEAASE can I turn them to stone? Medusa begged.”
Brief Book Summary: Medusa is a girl who has snakes for hair and a best friend who’s half horse, which causes her to be made fun of quite often. When her school takes a camping trip she is very worried that it’s going to be a complete nightmare but instead she turns into the hero saving the “popular” crowd.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (3) 4-6 Medusa isn't like other little girls, and Perseus and his friends are always making fun of her. When a camping trip turns dangerous, only she can save everyone. The black-and-white drawings effectively use varied line weights to convey different character traits and events. Though kids may not get every allusion to Greek mythology, this humorous book stands out as something fresh. (Horn Book)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Heroes and monsters of Greek mythology go to middle school in this clever, illustrated chapter book. Medusa Jones, Chiron (the centaur), and Mino (half bull) are labeled as the school Freaks and are constantly teased by the self-proclaimed Champions: Theseus (all brawn, no brain), Perseus (bigoted and cruel), and Cassandra (vain and vicious). An overnight camping trip to Mount Olympus pits these two groups against each other, and the Freaks end up saving the day. The unexpected, creative mix of classical mythology references and contemporary middle-school dialogue will keep young people chortling. Reluctant readers will appreciate the sophisticated humor, widely spaced text, and appealing cartoon-style illustrations. It’s hard to resist a book whose opening line is PLEEEAASE can I turn them to stone? Medusa begged. (Debbie Carton, CLCD)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Addressing the illustrations in both reviews, they are very pleasing and their style gives them the ability to portray character traits well. The inclusion of Greek mythology into current schooling allows for the reader to learn about mythology in a fun and different way. The creativity draws the reader in from the start and keeps us on our toes the entire time.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The clear allusion to Greek mythology throughout the book is enough to capture the attention of the reader. While this is not the exact story of Medusa and her other Greek companions, it allows the reader to understand the basic concepts. Humor also plays a big role in the story, as Medusa is a middle schooler with snakes for hair and has a centaur for a best friend.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In my classroom, I would use this book as an introduction to Greek mythology. Allowing students to make predictions about their roles in the actual stories based on their character in the story. Students reading this fun story would also give them a way that they could apply these concepts to their own life and make the connection.
September 21, 2008
This book is about three kids at the Acropolis Academy in ancient Greece (newspaper headline: "Gods Angry Again"). No, these three kids are not Perseus, Theseus, and Cassandra, the perfect kids known as the Champions, but the freaks of the school. One has never cut her hair in her life, another is always late because he cannot find his way out of his own house, and the last does not wear pants. Medusa Jones ("Little Miss Hiss!"), Mino ("Bull boy!"), and Chiron ("'Specky four legs!") are made fun of by the other children, especially the Champions, and even their own teacher.
Forced to participate in a camping trip with the Champions, they get to prove themselves as semi-human beings and as the "New Champions" of their town by saving their foes from certain death with their unique abilities. Then Medusa Jones (why did she get a last name and no one else?) ups and murders the bullies after the original Champions decline to show gratitude for the three freak's altruistic act, which is, uh, somewhat unsettling for a novel aimed at children. As Medusa Jones says, "Well, nobody's perfect".
Also, the illustrations are wonderful and it is worth giving the book a go just for the pretty pictures.
Forced to participate in a camping trip with the Champions, they get to prove themselves as semi-human beings and as the "New Champions" of their town by saving their foes from certain death with their unique abilities. Then Medusa Jones (why did she get a last name and no one else?) ups and murders the bullies after the original Champions decline to show gratitude for the three freak's altruistic act, which is, uh, somewhat unsettling for a novel aimed at children. As Medusa Jones says, "Well, nobody's perfect".
Also, the illustrations are wonderful and it is worth giving the book a go just for the pretty pictures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2008
In this sweet, funny chapter book, Medusa Jones asks her parents (just like she does every day) if she can turn the Champions into stone. As always, they say no. The Champions (Perseus, Cassandra, and Theseus) are the popular clique at her school... and they live to torture the "freaks". They tease Medusa mercilessly for having snakes for hair. They also tease her best friends Chiron (centaur) and Mino (minotaur), but Medusa is their favorite. Medusa is completely fed up with their taunts, but there's nothing she can do about it... until one day a chance comes for her to prove herself to them. But this is no formula bullying story... just wait for the surprise ending...
A great transitional chapter book... think Percy Jackson but for the younger crowd. Medusa's a spunky, likeable heroine (and her snakes are cuuuuute!). The illustrations are a perfect compliment to the story. I'd recommend this to fans of Clementine, Ruby Lu, etc. and anyone interested in Greek mythology. Grades 2-4.
A great transitional chapter book... think Percy Jackson but for the younger crowd. Medusa's a spunky, likeable heroine (and her snakes are cuuuuute!). The illustrations are a perfect compliment to the story. I'd recommend this to fans of Clementine, Ruby Lu, etc. and anyone interested in Greek mythology. Grades 2-4.
February 14, 2012
Medusa Jones is being bullied at school by the popular kids. Her parents don’t help much with solving the problem and the teachers at school are disrespectful bullies themselves. Medusa goes on a camping trip with the popular kids and when they get in trouble she and her friends have to decide whether or not to help them.
The illustrations in this book are well-done but the story is not well-written. There are cliches and the plot is random and predictable. I’m not sure what the chapter on Medusa going to the barber relates to the overall story; it just seemed mean-spirited. I also thought Medusa was out of character at the end when she called her friend an idiot and said she was “the beauty and brains of the outfit.” She sounded just like the bullies in the story.
You need to know what a Gorgon is and be somewhat familiar with Greek mythology when reading this story. Also, a “chiton” is a tunic. It is mentioned several times in the story. I’m more familiar with the word, toga.
The illustrations in this book are well-done but the story is not well-written. There are cliches and the plot is random and predictable. I’m not sure what the chapter on Medusa going to the barber relates to the overall story; it just seemed mean-spirited. I also thought Medusa was out of character at the end when she called her friend an idiot and said she was “the beauty and brains of the outfit.” She sounded just like the bullies in the story.
You need to know what a Gorgon is and be somewhat familiar with Greek mythology when reading this story. Also, a “chiton” is a tunic. It is mentioned several times in the story. I’m more familiar with the word, toga.
February 23, 2008
Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for this one. I just found the writing simplistic, even for an early chapter book, and I didn't like the ending. At all. It actually made me do a double-take. Sorta ruined the whole book for me. (Why do THIS if you're just gonna do THAT? Anyway.) Plus, those champions were real pains in the neck.
The illustrations, on the other hand, were absolutely terrific, with the exception of Medusa's nose. Really bothered me. It looked like a wooden puppet nose just stuck on there. Mino, however, more than made up for Medusa's puppet nose. He was adorable. Ador-a-bull (sorry, couldn't resist). And Medea produced my only laughs in the book. She was just right.
Although most of the mythology-related jokes will fly right over their heads,
2nd- and 3rd-graders might enjoy this one. Consider it early prep for The Lightning Thief.
The illustrations, on the other hand, were absolutely terrific, with the exception of Medusa's nose. Really bothered me. It looked like a wooden puppet nose just stuck on there. Mino, however, more than made up for Medusa's puppet nose. He was adorable. Ador-a-bull (sorry, couldn't resist). And Medea produced my only laughs in the book. She was just right.
Although most of the mythology-related jokes will fly right over their heads,
2nd- and 3rd-graders might enjoy this one. Consider it early prep for The Lightning Thief.
March 1, 2009
A long time ago in Ancient Greece, lived a little girl named Medusa Jones. Medusa was a Gorgon. But apart from that, pretty normal.
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"Please can I turn them to stone?" Medusa begged.
"It's not the polite thing to do, dear," said Medusa's mom.
"They're not polite," Medusa said. "They were mean about my hair again today."
"Sticks and stones, Medusa," said Medusa's mom. "You can't go turning everyone who's mean about your hair to stone."
"Gran did." Medusa scowled.
"Gran is insane and lives in a cave."
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Thus begins a fun little read that takes a tale about the fairly universal experience of being picked on as a "freak" and gives it a mythological twist.
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"Please can I turn them to stone?" Medusa begged.
"It's not the polite thing to do, dear," said Medusa's mom.
"They're not polite," Medusa said. "They were mean about my hair again today."
"Sticks and stones, Medusa," said Medusa's mom. "You can't go turning everyone who's mean about your hair to stone."
"Gran did." Medusa scowled.
"Gran is insane and lives in a cave."
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Thus begins a fun little read that takes a tale about the fairly universal experience of being picked on as a "freak" and gives it a mythological twist.
July 13, 2011
Actual rating: 2.5
I had a hard time picking a rating for this book. While it was a quick, easy read with some wit now and again, the story has been done many times before. So here I am feeling a bit conflicted because I didn't mind the story, and I really enjoyed the illustrations (especially Mino! He's so cute and adorable!) but the fact the story was so predictable because it's been done so many times made me go a little "Well, that was cute... but really?"
So, overall, it's not a bad book. It's well written with events kids can relate to. I just wish the author would have chosen a different story route to get the "freaks" to be the "cool kids" than the overly used way he went about doing it.
I had a hard time picking a rating for this book. While it was a quick, easy read with some wit now and again, the story has been done many times before. So here I am feeling a bit conflicted because I didn't mind the story, and I really enjoyed the illustrations (especially Mino! He's so cute and adorable!) but the fact the story was so predictable because it's been done so many times made me go a little "Well, that was cute... but really?"
So, overall, it's not a bad book. It's well written with events kids can relate to. I just wish the author would have chosen a different story route to get the "freaks" to be the "cool kids" than the overly used way he went about doing it.
June 28, 2008
Predictable storyline with the added annoyance of a historical setting and modern speech patterns. OK, so I'm not looking for ancient Greek, but this goes a bit far with the present day phrasing. This concept bugs me as well. If you're going to make the villians into heroes, at least give them an interesting perspective. Don't just make everyone who looks different a good guy, and everyone who is pretty and perfect a bad guy. And don't spend the whole book working hard to take the high road and not turn people into stone, and then forget all that for a good punchline at the end. (Maybe I should give this one fewer stars!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2010
The audience for this book is rather small -- young readers who have in-depth knowledge of gorgons, Greek pantheon, and ancient mythology. Collins imagines a world where Medusa with her unkempt snake hair is a child and attending school with the other creatures from Greek mythology (the children of the gods and goddesses) as well as Chiron and even her puppy the 3-headed Cerberus. As you can imagine Medusa is part of the "odd" crowd and that poses problems for her in her status-conscious school. Her mother insists that she can't turn anyone into granite. That rule makes most of the Champions (aka the cool kids) doubt that she can actually do it.
October 11, 2010
Medusa Jones is teased for her snakey hair and the rumors that she can turn people into stone. This is a great choice for programs on bullying - I read a chapter of it to a group of 4th and 5th graders because this month the school I'm working at has an anti-bullying program going on and the kids ate it up. It's very similar to the Percy Jackson series in that it looks at Greek mythological characters with a contemporary twist. It's also not at all condescending or pandering in how it approaches the subject of bullying - Medusa and her friend's responses to, and how they ultimately with the bullies, are realistic and entertaining.
March 19, 2011
I picked this up in the elementary school library, hoping that this would be a modern spin based on mythology. While Medusa was a pretty interesting character and I loved the portrayal of her snakes, the overall story was pretty lame. The Champions bully Medusa and her friends; the class has a field trip on Mount Olympus. The characters were not necessarily portrayed consistently with the mythology. The bully-bullied relationship was very two-dimensional and doesn't really serve as a guide or lesson for today's children. I would only recommend it to kids who are already interested in mythology or have a basic background.
September 6, 2011
Our fascination with all things pertaining to Greek mythology continues and we are reading everything that our oldest can find. This is a fun story that adds a youthful sweetness to scary characters like Medusa and Cerberus, something that I thought would be difficult to do. In fact, Medusa is the hero of the story, along with Chiron and Mino (as in the Minotaur), while the Champions (Theseus, Perseus, and Cassandra) are mean and spiteful bullies who also happen to be popular and good looking. Altogether, it was an exciting and entertaining story and we really enjoyed reading it together. Our girls pressed for me to read another chapter and another chapter until we finished it.
March 25, 2016
Another that we read as a family. My younger children, (10 and under), loved it and thought that it was hilarious. I think that was the audience it was written for. I do have to say, even my teenagers keep quoting parts of the book. Mostly the descriptions of crazy Granny Medusa. It was a fine book to read to the kids.
This is the story of Medusa's granddaughter. She has the awesome, hair, but not the crazy temperament. It is a short chapter book, written at the fourth grade level, about Medusa trying to deal with bullies. There was nothing objectionable in the book, and my children enjoyed it.
This is the story of Medusa's granddaughter. She has the awesome, hair, but not the crazy temperament. It is a short chapter book, written at the fourth grade level, about Medusa trying to deal with bullies. There was nothing objectionable in the book, and my children enjoyed it.
May 21, 2008
I thought this was absolutely endearing! Who knew a head full of snakes could actually be cute? I loved how this ancient tale was given a modern day twist - peer pressure, cliques, fashion angst, et cetera. This book serves as a fine example in pointing out why "Being Unique Rules"! The illustrations in this short book are dead on - simple, yet say so much. My only regret was the surprise ending - I believe I would have given this one five stars if the "surprise" had been alleviated altogether. Overall, a wonderful read for children and adults alike.
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