What do you think?
Rate this book
Goddess Girls #1
Athena the Brain
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!
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!
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
425 people are currently reading
6368 people want to read
About the author
Joan Holub
347 books1,233 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 720 reviews
August 7, 2021
This is such a great start to a series that I would recommend for younger kids who are interested in reading Percy Jackson, but may not be ready for such advanced text. Each book of the series focuses on one specific goddess and this is about Athena.
Athena the Brain opens with Athena learning that her father is Zeus and that he wants her to attend Mount Olympus Academy. The plot itself revolves around Athena meeting the other goddess characters including Aphrodite, Artemis, Persephone, and Pandora. Medusa plays the role of the mean girl. And while it seems to have no purpose, readers find out the origin of her feelings towards the end of the book. Athena also interacts with some of the gods that are in training like Poseidon. Because of the target audience, I found this book to be fast paced and fun. It's not 100 percent accurate in terms of the myths, but this series was created to generate some interest around Greek mythology for younger readers. The complexity would not be appropriate in this series. It does; however, have some emphasis on great themes like friendship. There are also some fun and interesting scenes like how they have a class project where they control Greek heroes attempting to keep them alive. Overall, this is a great chapter books series that I've seen a lot of children at the library really enjoy. If you know of a child that wants to read Percy, but may be a little too young I would recommend giving this one a try.
Athena the Brain opens with Athena learning that her father is Zeus and that he wants her to attend Mount Olympus Academy. The plot itself revolves around Athena meeting the other goddess characters including Aphrodite, Artemis, Persephone, and Pandora. Medusa plays the role of the mean girl. And while it seems to have no purpose, readers find out the origin of her feelings towards the end of the book. Athena also interacts with some of the gods that are in training like Poseidon. Because of the target audience, I found this book to be fast paced and fun. It's not 100 percent accurate in terms of the myths, but this series was created to generate some interest around Greek mythology for younger readers. The complexity would not be appropriate in this series. It does; however, have some emphasis on great themes like friendship. There are also some fun and interesting scenes like how they have a class project where they control Greek heroes attempting to keep them alive. Overall, this is a great chapter books series that I've seen a lot of children at the library really enjoy. If you know of a child that wants to read Percy, but may be a little too young I would recommend giving this one a try.
February 5, 2024
you guys, this series was everything to me as a kid! i remember reading and loving them in elementary and early middle school. they really helped spark my interest in greek mythology and when i saw this book again i had to reread it. it’s still a great kids book and has some really fun elements to it. i recommend this for younger audiences and it would pave the way perfectly for the percy jackson series :)
December 7, 2012
My daughter (9) and I read and reviewed this book and this is what we have to say. Visit us at http://MotherDaughterBookReviews.com
DAUGHTER SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
I liked the story. I liked that the pages were short and it was a fast and easy read for me. The girls in the book reminded me of me and my friends. Some of us get along and sometimes one girl can be mean (but only sometimes).
I liked the part of where they were doing the project and Athena kept hurting the person that she was doing experiments with. That was a really cool class project! There were lots of funny parts like that one. I liked that Poseidon wanted to name his trident after gum – that was funny.
I would have liked it if there were pictures of Medusa before she got her snake hair and I wish there was more information about what happens after Medusa got turned into stone.
My bottom line:
I loved loved loved this book and I want to read the other books in the series. I would recommend it to girls 7 years and older.
MOM SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
You’ve all heard me ramble on about my love of mythology (especially Greek mythology) – - most recently in our review of the first book in the Heroes in Training series (Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom), also by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams. The Goddess Girls is written for tween girls and the dialogue and relationships among the characters is depicted in an almost eerily accurate way (this coming from the Mom of a tween – or near-tween depending on when you start labeling a person a “tween”). Tween girls will be able to relate to likable Athena who feels different and awkward from everyone else while juggling homework, making new friends, meeting her father for the first time, and contending with the school bullies.
I really enjoyed Holub and William’s vision of Mount Olympus Academy where all the young Gods and Goddesses attend classes such as Hero-ology, Spell-ology, Revenge-ology, and Beauty-ology. It is in the Hero-ology class that the young Gods and Goddesses hone their skills in manipulating some famous mortals on Earth such as Paris and Helen of Troy, King Menelaus of Sparta, and the Greek hero Odysseus whom Athena humorously mishandles and nearly drowns by accident. The authors’ description of the in-fighting amongst the Gods and Goddesses over their class assignment as puppeteers to the mortals on Earth was very amusing.
The book cover is very eye-catching. In fact, my daughter and I originally came across this series in Chapters/Indigo bookstore many months ago while perusing the bookshelves. The images of Medusa in books and movies are generally very frightening, but in this series, she is depicted as normally described, (i.e., green skin, snakes for hair) but is more cartoon-like than scary. Unlike the Heroes in Training books, this book does not have any illustrations inside the book. That worked out ok because the main characters are well-depicted on the cover and the word density in the book is low so there is no need for images to break up the text.
I was curious to see, having read Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom first, how the Goddess Girls would overlap with the Heroes in Training series. Interestingly, they do not overlap. I would have expected that they might, but it does not take away from the enjoyment of either series.
My bottom line:
Many of the same things I loved about the Heroes in Training series (i.e., likable characters, comedic timing, quirkiness and originality, an interesting plot, and a unique and playful writing style) all apply here as well. I would highly recommend the Goddess Girl books to tween girls – they’ll love it!
* Goddess Girls: Athena the Brain was provided to us free-of-charge by the author in exchange for our honest opinion.*
DAUGHTER SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
I liked the story. I liked that the pages were short and it was a fast and easy read for me. The girls in the book reminded me of me and my friends. Some of us get along and sometimes one girl can be mean (but only sometimes).
I liked the part of where they were doing the project and Athena kept hurting the person that she was doing experiments with. That was a really cool class project! There were lots of funny parts like that one. I liked that Poseidon wanted to name his trident after gum – that was funny.
I would have liked it if there were pictures of Medusa before she got her snake hair and I wish there was more information about what happens after Medusa got turned into stone.
My bottom line:
I loved loved loved this book and I want to read the other books in the series. I would recommend it to girls 7 years and older.
MOM SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
You’ve all heard me ramble on about my love of mythology (especially Greek mythology) – - most recently in our review of the first book in the Heroes in Training series (Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom), also by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams. The Goddess Girls is written for tween girls and the dialogue and relationships among the characters is depicted in an almost eerily accurate way (this coming from the Mom of a tween – or near-tween depending on when you start labeling a person a “tween”). Tween girls will be able to relate to likable Athena who feels different and awkward from everyone else while juggling homework, making new friends, meeting her father for the first time, and contending with the school bullies.
I really enjoyed Holub and William’s vision of Mount Olympus Academy where all the young Gods and Goddesses attend classes such as Hero-ology, Spell-ology, Revenge-ology, and Beauty-ology. It is in the Hero-ology class that the young Gods and Goddesses hone their skills in manipulating some famous mortals on Earth such as Paris and Helen of Troy, King Menelaus of Sparta, and the Greek hero Odysseus whom Athena humorously mishandles and nearly drowns by accident. The authors’ description of the in-fighting amongst the Gods and Goddesses over their class assignment as puppeteers to the mortals on Earth was very amusing.
The book cover is very eye-catching. In fact, my daughter and I originally came across this series in Chapters/Indigo bookstore many months ago while perusing the bookshelves. The images of Medusa in books and movies are generally very frightening, but in this series, she is depicted as normally described, (i.e., green skin, snakes for hair) but is more cartoon-like than scary. Unlike the Heroes in Training books, this book does not have any illustrations inside the book. That worked out ok because the main characters are well-depicted on the cover and the word density in the book is low so there is no need for images to break up the text.
I was curious to see, having read Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom first, how the Goddess Girls would overlap with the Heroes in Training series. Interestingly, they do not overlap. I would have expected that they might, but it does not take away from the enjoyment of either series.
My bottom line:
Many of the same things I loved about the Heroes in Training series (i.e., likable characters, comedic timing, quirkiness and originality, an interesting plot, and a unique and playful writing style) all apply here as well. I would highly recommend the Goddess Girl books to tween girls – they’ll love it!
* Goddess Girls: Athena the Brain was provided to us free-of-charge by the author in exchange for our honest opinion.*
February 27, 2022
Rating: 5 / 5
When authors undertake the challenge of coming up with a Greek mythology retelling for kids, either it focuses in on just one story retelling, a modern day retelling, or perhaps something like the Percy Jackson universe, which seems to mainly be targeted at boys. (Though of course girls can enjoy it too, and I have.)
But to have a series dedicated to Goddess Girls is just what I would personally love to share with female students in elementary school, and so I'm very happy to have come across this series!
It kicks off with Athena, a girl who thinks she's a mortal until she gets a memo from Zeus, claiming that she's "his favourite daughter". So, off to Mount Olympus Academy she goes, as an official goddess girl.
Now, what impressed me about this book is how much detail the authors paid attention to the Greek stories that these characters and mythologies are inspired from. Like, for example, the fact that Medusa is crushing on Poseidon, and the fact that Athena and Poseidon become rivals over their class projects. The project itself is actually the Trojan War, and so it's super interesting who makes who do what, and how the events unfold. It's a cute, unique way of introducing kids to the concepts of more complicated myths and histories, and I just loved that attention to detail!
Additionally, I loved how the friendships worked in this book, and how even supposed opposites like Aphrodite and Athena, who are usually shown as being enemies or in any case rivals, are in fact getting along and are event friends. I know that this may just be because it's for kids, but...well, I can still appreciate it, right?
Ahem, and it doesn't hurt that, apart from Persephone, Athena happens to be my favourite Greek goddess.
And, speaking of which, Persephone is actually the main focus on book 2 in this series, so I'd better get reading!
When authors undertake the challenge of coming up with a Greek mythology retelling for kids, either it focuses in on just one story retelling, a modern day retelling, or perhaps something like the Percy Jackson universe, which seems to mainly be targeted at boys. (Though of course girls can enjoy it too, and I have.)
But to have a series dedicated to Goddess Girls is just what I would personally love to share with female students in elementary school, and so I'm very happy to have come across this series!
It kicks off with Athena, a girl who thinks she's a mortal until she gets a memo from Zeus, claiming that she's "his favourite daughter". So, off to Mount Olympus Academy she goes, as an official goddess girl.
Now, what impressed me about this book is how much detail the authors paid attention to the Greek stories that these characters and mythologies are inspired from. Like, for example, the fact that Medusa is crushing on Poseidon, and the fact that Athena and Poseidon become rivals over their class projects. The project itself is actually the Trojan War, and so it's super interesting who makes who do what, and how the events unfold. It's a cute, unique way of introducing kids to the concepts of more complicated myths and histories, and I just loved that attention to detail!
Additionally, I loved how the friendships worked in this book, and how even supposed opposites like Aphrodite and Athena, who are usually shown as being enemies or in any case rivals, are in fact getting along and are event friends. I know that this may just be because it's for kids, but...well, I can still appreciate it, right?
Ahem, and it doesn't hurt that, apart from Persephone, Athena happens to be my favourite Greek goddess.
And, speaking of which, Persephone is actually the main focus on book 2 in this series, so I'd better get reading!
May 28, 2013
This is so far the best way to learn about Greek Mythology and their Gods and Goddesses for me. Meet Athena and her friends, Aphrodite, Artemis, Persephone, Poseidon, Pandora, and the mean girl, Medusa at MOA, Mount Olympus Academy. These God Boys and Girls and few selected mortals at the age 9 will bring laughter and tears to you while they are learning to be heroes and heroines in Mythology or to be wise Gods and Goddesses. After all, life at Mount Olympus Academy is not that much different from down on Earth; The Drama, Jealousy, Academics, Cheating, The Mean Girls, Flirt, and Comradery.
There are so many Greek Gods and Goddesses and it was always confusing to me to remember who’s who. But, not anymore! Under the wise leadership of principal Zeus, I met many young Greek Gods and Goddesses at MOA as if they are my best friends. (By the way, I am 8.) Just like in my school, there are good kids and mean kids at MOA. The classes that they offer at MOA such as “Hero-ology”, “Beast-ology”, “Spell-ology”,and “Beauty-ology” are all so fascinating and out of this world.
Read along as if you are one of the students at MOA. You will get to meet Yambrosia, Mr. Cyclop, Helen of Sparta, Odysseus, and The Trojan Horse through the story.
Fun and giggly reading for the girls from age 8 to 12! But, there is plenty for the boys, who are interested in Classics, also. This book earned my Five Star!
Review by Young Mensan Isabella S., age 8, San Francisco Regional Mensa
There are so many Greek Gods and Goddesses and it was always confusing to me to remember who’s who. But, not anymore! Under the wise leadership of principal Zeus, I met many young Greek Gods and Goddesses at MOA as if they are my best friends. (By the way, I am 8.) Just like in my school, there are good kids and mean kids at MOA. The classes that they offer at MOA such as “Hero-ology”, “Beast-ology”, “Spell-ology”,and “Beauty-ology” are all so fascinating and out of this world.
Read along as if you are one of the students at MOA. You will get to meet Yambrosia, Mr. Cyclop, Helen of Sparta, Odysseus, and The Trojan Horse through the story.
Fun and giggly reading for the girls from age 8 to 12! But, there is plenty for the boys, who are interested in Classics, also. This book earned my Five Star!
Review by Young Mensan Isabella S., age 8, San Francisco Regional Mensa
January 29, 2020
What a fun & cute idea for a middle grade series!
Totally down to check out the rest of the books 😊
Totally down to check out the rest of the books 😊
January 29, 2020
I would give this a 4.5 for creativity and accessibility. This is written at a level that is just above chapter books in difficulty so it will appeal to 3rd grade girls and entice them into learning more about the Greek myths. When I was in the 3rd grade I remember being obsessed with the Greek gods and goddesses and wanting to learn all about them. I wish this series would have been available then. Half a star off, because Zeus seems like a total doofus. Will see if this continues in future books.
August 13, 2011
*This review is based on a copy of the book I won through Goodreads FirstReads Giveaways.*
A very cute concept!
A new series of children's books based on a modernized version of Greek Mythology in which many gods and goddesses are seen as middle school students at Mount Olympus Academy.
Well written and easy to read, these books could be a nice springboard to introduce Greek mythology to younger people without being too confusing.
A very cute concept!
A new series of children's books based on a modernized version of Greek Mythology in which many gods and goddesses are seen as middle school students at Mount Olympus Academy.
Well written and easy to read, these books could be a nice springboard to introduce Greek mythology to younger people without being too confusing.
November 6, 2010
4.5 Stars
The first installment in the Goddess Girls books is a great introduction to the series. The reader is introduced to the school at Mt. Olympus at the same time that Athena first sees it. We are thrust into this brand new world of immortality and magic just like Athena is.
The book has a great message for girls about dealing with mean girls and also how to deal with boys. I loved Athena's attitude towards the cocky Poseidon as she realizes he's not so crush-worthy after all.
Book lovers will love Athena's brainy personality, and how she's always carrying around tons of scrolls (books). Her relationship with her dad, Zeus, is played out with love and comedy.
The only reason I marked this one 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I really liked books 2 and 3 a lot better than this one. But sometimes that's what happens in the first book of a series, because the world has to be set up and introductions to the characters need to be made.
The covers of these books are fantastic. The bright colors and cartoony girls are so eye-catching, but the beauty is really in the details. Each cover has many small elements from the book that are woven into the picture. It's so fun to see Persephone's missing ball of yarn or Athena's pile of homework scrolls that she's never seen without. It's so nice to see a cover where the artist has clearly read the book instead of using a stock photo.
This is another great installment of the Goddess Girls series, fun, sweet stories for girls with a fantastic message!
sent by the author in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
The first installment in the Goddess Girls books is a great introduction to the series. The reader is introduced to the school at Mt. Olympus at the same time that Athena first sees it. We are thrust into this brand new world of immortality and magic just like Athena is.
The book has a great message for girls about dealing with mean girls and also how to deal with boys. I loved Athena's attitude towards the cocky Poseidon as she realizes he's not so crush-worthy after all.
Book lovers will love Athena's brainy personality, and how she's always carrying around tons of scrolls (books). Her relationship with her dad, Zeus, is played out with love and comedy.
The only reason I marked this one 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I really liked books 2 and 3 a lot better than this one. But sometimes that's what happens in the first book of a series, because the world has to be set up and introductions to the characters need to be made.
The covers of these books are fantastic. The bright colors and cartoony girls are so eye-catching, but the beauty is really in the details. Each cover has many small elements from the book that are woven into the picture. It's so fun to see Persephone's missing ball of yarn or Athena's pile of homework scrolls that she's never seen without. It's so nice to see a cover where the artist has clearly read the book instead of using a stock photo.
This is another great installment of the Goddess Girls series, fun, sweet stories for girls with a fantastic message!
sent by the author in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
April 21, 2010
This one was better than Persephone the Phony (I thought).
Athena has just found out that she is the daughter of Zeus, King of the gods and Principal of Mount Olympus Academy - no wonder she never fit in down on Earth! But even gods and goddesses are not perfect and Athena will have to deal with the biggest bully of all time - Medusa. Luckily for her the goddessgirls are on her side.
She will make some of the most amazing friends ever and solve the Trojan War game all in a matter of days - no wonder she is named the goddess of wisdom! She will definitely need it in this hilarious comedy based on the Athena myths. Sure to delight children, and in an easy to read format this will be amazing fun for anyone!
Athena has just found out that she is the daughter of Zeus, King of the gods and Principal of Mount Olympus Academy - no wonder she never fit in down on Earth! But even gods and goddesses are not perfect and Athena will have to deal with the biggest bully of all time - Medusa. Luckily for her the goddessgirls are on her side.
She will make some of the most amazing friends ever and solve the Trojan War game all in a matter of days - no wonder she is named the goddess of wisdom! She will definitely need it in this hilarious comedy based on the Athena myths. Sure to delight children, and in an easy to read format this will be amazing fun for anyone!
August 14, 2024
The Goddess Girls series was one of my FAVORITES as a kid. I remember discovering them in my elementary school library and popularizing them with my classmates. We'd fight over who would get to read the sequels first so much that my mom bought me a Kindle so I could buy and read the books on there so I'd stop complaining.
Athena the Brain is the first installment in a huge middle-grade Greek mythology fantasy series. The series kicks off with Athena, daughter of Zeus, being invited to Mount Olympus Academy at 12 years old. Leaving her human life behind, she's finally found a place she feels like she could belong, yet Athena struggles to adapt; thinking she sucks at being a goddess girl. However, she meets new friends, and bullies, and figures out how to use her brain as a true goddess girl.
I am SO excited to reread and finish this series. Middle-grade rereads seem to be the only books able to hold my attention this month, so expect a lot more MG reviews this month, lol. I stopped reading the books at Medusa the Mean, book eight in the series, which means I have SO many I haven't gotten to! I own the first 10 books and the first 'super special' book (which was published right after book eight), so I'll be kept busy. The box set containing books 11-20 doesn't release until October 29th, so I may have to switch back to my Tinkerbell or Dork Diaries books after these!
Athena the Brain is the first installment in a huge middle-grade Greek mythology fantasy series. The series kicks off with Athena, daughter of Zeus, being invited to Mount Olympus Academy at 12 years old. Leaving her human life behind, she's finally found a place she feels like she could belong, yet Athena struggles to adapt; thinking she sucks at being a goddess girl. However, she meets new friends, and bullies, and figures out how to use her brain as a true goddess girl.
I am SO excited to reread and finish this series. Middle-grade rereads seem to be the only books able to hold my attention this month, so expect a lot more MG reviews this month, lol. I stopped reading the books at Medusa the Mean, book eight in the series, which means I have SO many I haven't gotten to! I own the first 10 books and the first 'super special' book (which was published right after book eight), so I'll be kept busy. The box set containing books 11-20 doesn't release until October 29th, so I may have to switch back to my Tinkerbell or Dork Diaries books after these!
January 15, 2013
The Goddess Girls books by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams all feature one goddess, in the case if the first book in the series, that's Athena. Athena lives with her best friend Palles, and she doesn't know who her parents are. Then one day she gets a letter from Zeus, her father, saying that she must go to Mount Olympus Academy and start her training as a goddess.
This book is quite clearly meant for girls that have just learnt to read. The pages contain very little words, and the story is very easy to follow and short. Still, as someone who is significantly older than the intended reader, I still had tons of fun reading this little book. There are so many details that make the book incredibly funny, at least, if this is your kind of humour. I, for example, thought it was hilarious that Zeus is a very, very bad sculptor.
Don't expect the story to be mythologically correct. The authors take quite some liberties with the myths, but I personally didn't mind at all. Greek mythology is quite gruesome, and I don't think that would be appropriate for the younger audience. I found it very interesting to see which fact they kept, and which they changed.
One important part of writing for children is the message you send across - children often can't tell if a story is meant ironically or literally. Especially in YA this is often ignored, and there are thousands of girls out there waiting for that one wonder-boy that will swipe then off their feet and make their life perfect. I didn't have any objections at all to the message of Athena the Brain. The story touches themes such as friendship and loyalty, without being preachy at all. It also helps that Athena is amazingly smart, and does all her homework and doesn't fall in love with the first boy she sees.
I absolutely loved Athena the Brain, and I can't wait to read the next Goddess Girls book.
This book is quite clearly meant for girls that have just learnt to read. The pages contain very little words, and the story is very easy to follow and short. Still, as someone who is significantly older than the intended reader, I still had tons of fun reading this little book. There are so many details that make the book incredibly funny, at least, if this is your kind of humour. I, for example, thought it was hilarious that Zeus is a very, very bad sculptor.
Don't expect the story to be mythologically correct. The authors take quite some liberties with the myths, but I personally didn't mind at all. Greek mythology is quite gruesome, and I don't think that would be appropriate for the younger audience. I found it very interesting to see which fact they kept, and which they changed.
One important part of writing for children is the message you send across - children often can't tell if a story is meant ironically or literally. Especially in YA this is often ignored, and there are thousands of girls out there waiting for that one wonder-boy that will swipe then off their feet and make their life perfect. I didn't have any objections at all to the message of Athena the Brain. The story touches themes such as friendship and loyalty, without being preachy at all. It also helps that Athena is amazingly smart, and does all her homework and doesn't fall in love with the first boy she sees.
I absolutely loved Athena the Brain, and I can't wait to read the next Goddess Girls book.
April 8, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this book was really cute! i’ve read it a few times now (i keep trying to restart the series and getting sidetracked) and it doesn’t get old.
this is a great start to the series and i love the world that we get to learn about in this book. it’s just fun and easy and a definite comfort book for me at this point. it is childish but that’s what i want from these books. a simple, easy escape.
athena, this book’s main character is one of my favorite characters because she reminds me of me a lot, especially younger me.
overall i’ve had fun reading this and i recommend you check this series out if you like greek mythology twists and are looking for a quick, younger read!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
this book was really cute! i’ve read it a few times now (i keep trying to restart the series and getting sidetracked) and it doesn’t get old.
this is a great start to the series and i love the world that we get to learn about in this book. it’s just fun and easy and a definite comfort book for me at this point. it is childish but that’s what i want from these books. a simple, easy escape.
athena, this book’s main character is one of my favorite characters because she reminds me of me a lot, especially younger me.
overall i’ve had fun reading this and i recommend you check this series out if you like greek mythology twists and are looking for a quick, younger read!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
January 12, 2010
Start of a new series aimed at the younger crowd; great introduction to greek mythology in a Percy Jackson-meets-How I survived Middle School way. Fun reads that took me a lunch hour to get through.
December 21, 2018
Best way to learn Greek gods ! Loved it.
November 28, 2023
DEAR ATHENA,
THIS MAY COME AS A SHOCK TO YOU,
BUT I, ZEUS—KING OF THE GODS
AND RULER OF THE HEAVENS—AM
YOUR FATHER. AND THAT, OF COURSE,
MAKES YOU A GODDESS.
this is the most American middle-grade book about Greek myths ever. and i hate how Medusa was portrayed; they didn't even un-statue her at the end! the only redeeming bit is how funny it would actually have been if the whole Trojan War was a literal classroom activity.
THIS MAY COME AS A SHOCK TO YOU,
BUT I, ZEUS—KING OF THE GODS
AND RULER OF THE HEAVENS—AM
YOUR FATHER. AND THAT, OF COURSE,
MAKES YOU A GODDESS.
this is the most American middle-grade book about Greek myths ever. and i hate how Medusa was portrayed; they didn't even un-statue her at the end! the only redeeming bit is how funny it would actually have been if the whole Trojan War was a literal classroom activity.
October 9, 2018
I read this really long ago, so I don't remember much about it..
August 14, 2017
This book is so cute! Honestly, I wasn't expecting too much with this book, especially when I opened it up and saw large, double-spaced text. I figured the characters and maybe a few locations would recall Greek myths, but I thought that would be the extent of things. This would have been fine and cute for the middle-grade audience this is intended for, but it would have been less interesting for me.
Luckily, the references to Greek myths went well beyond the characters' names! The entire book--the characters, their interactions with one another, the plot events--it all ties in to the famous (and less famous) myths. I had a blast seeing how the authors seamlessly wove in the events in a bunch of different myths with the more modern and spunky story set in a school for gods and goddesses.
The writing style is definitely middle-grade. I think kids, particularly girls, will love the way this book is written. Athena is a sweet girl who struggles with problems regular kids deal with too (mean girls, worrying about school work, making friends, moving, etc). Her feelings are expressed in a way that I think kids will find easy to relate to, almost like they are talking to one of their own friends. As an adult, I found the almost over the top writing to be cute and funny. The plot is overly simplistic, but it was fun and sweet.
I was entertained while reading this book and I will be checking out the other books in the series soon. Very much recommended to kids, but I think adults interested in Greek myths can also find something to appreciate here.
www.smallreview.blogspot.com
Luckily, the references to Greek myths went well beyond the characters' names! The entire book--the characters, their interactions with one another, the plot events--it all ties in to the famous (and less famous) myths. I had a blast seeing how the authors seamlessly wove in the events in a bunch of different myths with the more modern and spunky story set in a school for gods and goddesses.
The writing style is definitely middle-grade. I think kids, particularly girls, will love the way this book is written. Athena is a sweet girl who struggles with problems regular kids deal with too (mean girls, worrying about school work, making friends, moving, etc). Her feelings are expressed in a way that I think kids will find easy to relate to, almost like they are talking to one of their own friends. As an adult, I found the almost over the top writing to be cute and funny. The plot is overly simplistic, but it was fun and sweet.
I was entertained while reading this book and I will be checking out the other books in the series soon. Very much recommended to kids, but I think adults interested in Greek myths can also find something to appreciate here.
www.smallreview.blogspot.com
June 29, 2016
Athena the Brain is the first book of the Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
I’ve always loved Greek mythology and have just gotten into reading middle grade level and children books. I was so excited to see this series combined both.
Athena lives with her best friend, Pallas, because she has never knew who her parents were. She goes to Triton Junior High…or at least had gone to Triton Junior High. One day, Athena gets a message from Zeus saying that he’s her father and that she must attend Mount Olympus Academy, where godboys and goddessgirls go, ASAP.
Athena is torn. She knows she’ll miss Pallas, but she’s excited to go to the Academy and to finally meet her dad. Athena is taken to the Academy by Hermes. She’s in awe of what she sees. She quickly realizes that even MOA has its mean girls. However, she’s quick to find friends in Artemis, Aphrodite, and Persephone. Athena has always been really smart. With classes like Beast-ology and Hero-ology, she’s concerned about keeping up. Will Athena be able to truly fit in? Will she have a run-in with the mean girls?
I loved this book. I liked that the author incorporated a lot of small details from mythology in the story such as Athena creating the olive and having the city Athens being named after her. I think young girls will love this series.
I’ve always loved Greek mythology and have just gotten into reading middle grade level and children books. I was so excited to see this series combined both.
Athena lives with her best friend, Pallas, because she has never knew who her parents were. She goes to Triton Junior High…or at least had gone to Triton Junior High. One day, Athena gets a message from Zeus saying that he’s her father and that she must attend Mount Olympus Academy, where godboys and goddessgirls go, ASAP.
Athena is torn. She knows she’ll miss Pallas, but she’s excited to go to the Academy and to finally meet her dad. Athena is taken to the Academy by Hermes. She’s in awe of what she sees. She quickly realizes that even MOA has its mean girls. However, she’s quick to find friends in Artemis, Aphrodite, and Persephone. Athena has always been really smart. With classes like Beast-ology and Hero-ology, she’s concerned about keeping up. Will Athena be able to truly fit in? Will she have a run-in with the mean girls?
I loved this book. I liked that the author incorporated a lot of small details from mythology in the story such as Athena creating the olive and having the city Athens being named after her. I think young girls will love this series.
June 13, 2011
Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have created a light breezy book that provides a wonderful introduction to Greek mythology for the younger age groups. Children might even be encouraged to check out other books of Greek Myths and compare them with the authors books. In this first book in the series, Athena is summoned to Mount Olympus Academy by her father Zeus. There she meets other Goddesses and Gods like Persephone, Aphrodite, Artemis, as well as Poseidon, Pandora and Medusa. The story is filled with very creative twists on famous mythological stories and just the right amount of action to keep the story entertaining. Overall, a very cute story, amusing with some educational value and great messages about dealing with mean girls.
November 29, 2013
Este libro no lo he leído yo, sino mi hija pequeña (9 años), y se lo ha leído en menos de una semana!!! Lo primero que le atrajo del libro fue la portada, para qué negarlo, pero al poquito de empezarlo ya estaba enganchadisima, tanto, que me iba contando cada capítulo que leía. Está encantada con las aventuras de Atenea, porque, según ella, "la pasa cada cosaaaaa" y ahora está como loca por leer el segundo... lo dicho, un diez redondo!
March 11, 2015
I fell for the cover artwork. It started bad and I tried to imagine that I was 9 years old -as it was the age when I was very fond of Greek mythology with The Odyssey already read- to be able to continue reading, but my favorite goddess Athena as a cheerleader... no way! Poseidon as a teenager while Zeus is the old principal of the high school is a silly anachronism and it goes on all over the book with the most unexpected characters as teenagers and others as teachers.
March 18, 2015
It was an awesome start to a cool series.The series is about gods and goddesses that go to Mount Olympus Academy. One of my very good friends were always on different books in this series and I would always be so curious so that is when my trip to Mount Olympus Academy (MOA) began. The first book is about a regular girl Athena at a new school just finding out she is Zeus's daughter and a Goddess.Will she survive new enemies? Will she make friends and will she fit in ?
October 12, 2010
Love it! Read this one to the girls at bedtime. Great Read - Super funny!
The goddesses are all about 13 years old in this series where they attend Mount Olympus Academy (MOA) run by Principal Zeus. Hades, Poisidon, Medusa, Artemis and mortals like Pandora are wildy funny.
Can't wait to read more...
The goddesses are all about 13 years old in this series where they attend Mount Olympus Academy (MOA) run by Principal Zeus. Hades, Poisidon, Medusa, Artemis and mortals like Pandora are wildy funny.
Can't wait to read more...
March 27, 2011
actually this book is a quick read but I luv ancient gods and goddeses
August 10, 2013
In this book about Athena (my favorite goddess ) gets a surprising note from Zeus saying tht she will get to attend mt Olympus academy. She has tons of fun at her new school
September 9, 2014
Awesome
September 19, 2018
Athena lives in the mortal world when suddenly she gets a letter from her dad, Zeus, that basically reads "You're a wizard goddessgirl, Athena! You are welcome to enroll in Hogwarts Mount Olympus Academy to train to be a Goddess."
It's an easy chapter book for ages about 8-12. This series, naturally, makes nods to Greek Mythology and the Homeric Epic Poems but obviously it won't follow them too closely.
All of the characters are pretty likable and interesting. The first book has just enough conflict to keep readers invested.
It's an easy chapter book for ages about 8-12. This series, naturally, makes nods to Greek Mythology and the Homeric Epic Poems but obviously it won't follow them too closely.
All of the characters are pretty likable and interesting. The first book has just enough conflict to keep readers invested.
January 4, 2023
I remember buying this book when i was 11 because I was in my Greek myth era. I loved this as a kid but now that I am an adult now and significantly much more snobby I cant help but laugh to see how cute it is compared to the actual brutal Greek myth I mean in this book Medusa was bullying Athena and not the other way around lmaooooo. But at the same time it was a really fun, I would say this book would be perfect for preteen or tween girls who wants to learn about Greek mythology but cant be bothered with a Greek myth encyclopedia.
June 8, 2023
pls i forgot how cheesy and entertaining this series is.
do i think i'd ever actually enjoy it now if I had read it today for the first time? nope.
but this brings back elementary school memories. I was literally OBSESSED with this series, and it's genuinely so fun. it's like a greek mythology reality tv show set in a boarding school.
do i think i'd ever actually enjoy it now if I had read it today for the first time? nope.
but this brings back elementary school memories. I was literally OBSESSED with this series, and it's genuinely so fun. it's like a greek mythology reality tv show set in a boarding school.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 720 reviews