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Life and Times
Pandora of Athens, 399 B.C.
In this departure from our first person diaries, we leap into ancient times in a third person novel filled with action, adventure, and glory -- all the drama of life in ancient Greece.
Ancient Greece is brought brilliantly to life by renowned author Barry Denenberg.
Pandora is trapped in the roles laid out for Greek women by her narrow-minded father. Much to her despair,she is engaged to marry a man more than twice her age, so that Pandora waits with dread for her fourteenth birthday, when she'll be old enough to marry. But one day, when Pandora goes to fetch water, she meets the Wise One, who is also called Socrates, and what he tells her changes her life. During his famed trial, Pandora finds herself caught up in the intrigue and turbulent politics of ancient Athens.
Ancient Greece is brought brilliantly to life by renowned author Barry Denenberg.
Pandora is trapped in the roles laid out for Greek women by her narrow-minded father. Much to her despair,she is engaged to marry a man more than twice her age, so that Pandora waits with dread for her fourteenth birthday, when she'll be old enough to marry. But one day, when Pandora goes to fetch water, she meets the Wise One, who is also called Socrates, and what he tells her changes her life. During his famed trial, Pandora finds herself caught up in the intrigue and turbulent politics of ancient Athens.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Barry Denenberg
47 books82 followersBarry Denenberg is the critically acclaimed author of non-fiction and historical fiction. His historical fiction includes titles in the Dear America, My Name is America, and Royal Diaries series, many of which have been named NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. His nonfiction books have covered a wide array of topics, from Anne Frank to Elvis Presley. After the publication of An American Hero: The True Story of Charles Lindburgh, Denenberg was interviewed for various documentaries including ABC’s “The Century.”
Denenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Long Island, Binghamton, New York, and Palisades Park, New Jersey. “I was a serious reader from an early age and when I attended Boston University in 1968, majoring in history, I worked in a bookstore at night,” he says. “After college I was a book buyer for some fine, independent bookstores, some of the nation’s largest retail book chains and a marketing executive in publishing.
“At the age of forty I came to the startling realization that the glamorous world of power lunches, power politics, and power trips was not for me. I immediately went to work on the Great American Novel (since destroyed) and was rescued when my future wife, Jean Feiwel (then and now publisher of Scholastic Inc.) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Scholastic had received a biography of John F. Kennedy that they deemed unacceptable: would I like to try and write one?
“The rest is history in more ways than one. I went on to write biographies of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Voices From Vietnam, an oral history of the war.
“Writing some of the first books in the Dear America series was a turning point in my career. Its popularity and the resulting readers’ letters made a great impression on me. This in turn inspired my writing and fueled my research. With my bookstore background and the help of numerous knowledgeable booksellers I am able to assemble an extensive bibliography on each topic I write.
“I think there’s an art to both writing and research. I’m a good writer but a better researcher.”
Something that has added greatly to Denenberg’s perspective on writing for young readers is his volunteer work as Director of Creative Writing and Library Services at the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut. Waterside, established in 2001, is an independent school dedicated to educating gifted children of the communities’ low-income families.
Aside from writing and teaching Denenberg’s interests include listening to music, reading (books not related to his research), swimming, practicing yoga and spending time with his family.
Barry Denenberg lives in Bedford, New York with his wife and daughter.
Denenberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and lived in Long Island, Binghamton, New York, and Palisades Park, New Jersey. “I was a serious reader from an early age and when I attended Boston University in 1968, majoring in history, I worked in a bookstore at night,” he says. “After college I was a book buyer for some fine, independent bookstores, some of the nation’s largest retail book chains and a marketing executive in publishing.
“At the age of forty I came to the startling realization that the glamorous world of power lunches, power politics, and power trips was not for me. I immediately went to work on the Great American Novel (since destroyed) and was rescued when my future wife, Jean Feiwel (then and now publisher of Scholastic Inc.) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Scholastic had received a biography of John F. Kennedy that they deemed unacceptable: would I like to try and write one?
“The rest is history in more ways than one. I went on to write biographies of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, J. Edgar Hoover, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Voices From Vietnam, an oral history of the war.
“Writing some of the first books in the Dear America series was a turning point in my career. Its popularity and the resulting readers’ letters made a great impression on me. This in turn inspired my writing and fueled my research. With my bookstore background and the help of numerous knowledgeable booksellers I am able to assemble an extensive bibliography on each topic I write.
“I think there’s an art to both writing and research. I’m a good writer but a better researcher.”
Something that has added greatly to Denenberg’s perspective on writing for young readers is his volunteer work as Director of Creative Writing and Library Services at the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut. Waterside, established in 2001, is an independent school dedicated to educating gifted children of the communities’ low-income families.
Aside from writing and teaching Denenberg’s interests include listening to music, reading (books not related to his research), swimming, practicing yoga and spending time with his family.
Barry Denenberg lives in Bedford, New York with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 27, 2008
Pandora is a girl growing up in Ancient Athens, Greece following the Peloponnesian War and the overthrow of the Spartan government. Pandora comes from a wealthy family and had very few opportunities to escape the house, but for her weekly trip to the Fountain House, where she meets an unusual man who opens up opportunities to live a better life. That man is Socrates.
I liked this book-- I learned a LOT about Ancient Greece. Every time I read a historical detail and thought it was in inaccuracy, I discovered it was true! I didn't know Athenian women shaved. Or that there were eye doctors, or table manners. There is quite a bit of wine consumed in this book-- but it's use reflected the time. Very well-written and short enough to compliment the curriculum for middle school students studying this time period.
I liked this book-- I learned a LOT about Ancient Greece. Every time I read a historical detail and thought it was in inaccuracy, I discovered it was true! I didn't know Athenian women shaved. Or that there were eye doctors, or table manners. There is quite a bit of wine consumed in this book-- but it's use reflected the time. Very well-written and short enough to compliment the curriculum for middle school students studying this time period.
September 15, 2010
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read PANDORA OF ATHENS or not, simply because of my dislike of another book in the Life and Times series. I thought it was best that I give the series another try and picked PANDORA up, hoping to view this one without any influence from the other book.
Pandora is a young girl growing up in ancient Greece. She's sheltered like most girls in Athens at that time, and the most she has to look forward to is getting married when she turns fourteen. Pandora's been taught that girls should be silent and obedient and they should be protected from the outside world. They aren't even allowed to go to plays. Her only freedom is her daily trips to the Fountain House. While she's collecting water, she's able to meet and talk with other girls and experience just a tiny taste of freedom. Her life changes completely when she meets Socrates one day at the well. In discussions with him, Pandora begins questioning her fate more strongly and looks for ways to change it.
While not exactly life-changing, PANDORA OF ATHENS, is surprisingly much better than I had expected. Readers can easily put themselves into Pandora's shoes and empathize with her feelings about not having control of her future, and lack of understanding from her parents. Not a bad read, but nothing out of the ordinary. A 'C' from me.
Pandora is a young girl growing up in ancient Greece. She's sheltered like most girls in Athens at that time, and the most she has to look forward to is getting married when she turns fourteen. Pandora's been taught that girls should be silent and obedient and they should be protected from the outside world. They aren't even allowed to go to plays. Her only freedom is her daily trips to the Fountain House. While she's collecting water, she's able to meet and talk with other girls and experience just a tiny taste of freedom. Her life changes completely when she meets Socrates one day at the well. In discussions with him, Pandora begins questioning her fate more strongly and looks for ways to change it.
While not exactly life-changing, PANDORA OF ATHENS, is surprisingly much better than I had expected. Readers can easily put themselves into Pandora's shoes and empathize with her feelings about not having control of her future, and lack of understanding from her parents. Not a bad read, but nothing out of the ordinary. A 'C' from me.
March 7, 2014
I really didn't care for this book as I felt it was really lacking in several areas. There were lots of main and secondary characters but they were treated in passing. Some characters which seemed important at first were dropped halfway through and never mentioned again. Moments that maybe should have had greater importance in the book were glazed over. The book was short and a very quick read which perhaps led to the problems with the story and the characters.
February 27, 2009
I'm very fond of stories set in ancient Greece or Rome but there just wasn't much to this tale of a young girl who meets Socrates.
August 3, 2015
Oh dear so much potential but you guessed it ....it turned in to yet another romance!
January 21, 2016
Elementary book club selection that was just boring, sorry kids
May 31, 2019
Real rating is 3 1/2 stars. I really liked the historical facts, storyline, and characters. But the storytelling was rushed, with little dialog. A lot of things needed to be explained. Why did Socrates take such an interest inPandora and who was the Young man he sent to fetched her? Although it seems clear by the end that Pandora’s stepmother married a widower because she wanted to have a daughter without giving birth, which was so difficult and dangerous in those days, there is no hint of the process of how she lost her independent Spartan spirit.
I Love the way Socrates was brought to life here but wished there were more scenes where he spoke directly. The storyline is wonderful but I had to use my own imagination to flesh them out. Readers more interested in historical facts than human drama should be satisfied.
I Love the way Socrates was brought to life here but wished there were more scenes where he spoke directly. The storyline is wonderful but I had to use my own imagination to flesh them out. Readers more interested in historical facts than human drama should be satisfied.
June 25, 2018
Interesting reading about every day life in Athens at this time, but the writing wasn't great. Too much telling and not enough showing. Half the time, it felt like Pandora was summarizing her experiences rather than actually experiencing them. Which was a little silly when the 'summary' was literally dialogue without quotation marks.
I probably would have given this three stars, but I'm getting very tired of seeing more adult things in books meant for children. Yes, certain things may have been appropriate for the setting, but kids don't need to read about prostitutes and "middle-of-the-day marriage".
I probably would have given this three stars, but I'm getting very tired of seeing more adult things in books meant for children. Yes, certain things may have been appropriate for the setting, but kids don't need to read about prostitutes and "middle-of-the-day marriage".
July 25, 2017
Wonderful book, a short historical fiction novel. You do not at first know where the book is going and yet you never want to put the book down because of the fascinating story which enfolds the greek culture of the old days as well as the understanding and sympathy most readers will have with Pandora. As she struggles to understand the acts of her family and others because of her different mindset that was unwelcome at the time.
May 17, 2023
This little book revealed some interesting things. It showed how restricted the lives of women, especially the well-to-do, were at this time. It speaks of Socrates, the Wise One, and his death due to the rejection of his ideas. There was little real freedom in those times.
March 22, 2017
Mr. Denenberg writes in a concise manner that will attract younger readers who become overwhelmed with "fat" books. Even though the story isn't long, the reader learns much and is drawn into Pandora's life and feelings. The reader is also introduced to Socrates and the Greek world of his time. I would definitely recommend this book for the junior high level student.
May 15, 2018
I just felt there was a lack of dialogue. I'm not spoiling it, but the ending was very anonymous, almost anything can happen to Pandora.
December 11, 2018
The story was very interesting and also the book included a lot of information so it was fun to read.
November 1, 2020
Enjoyed it. Definitely written by a man. Wouldn't reread, donate.
March 26, 2023
I didn't like it. The entire plot read like exposition, there was no emotion - I didn't get anything from the characters and it was all over the place. Like 'this happened, then this happened, but then this happened, so this happened'. It was honestly just boring, and read almost like bullet points. The last page was the best and read like it was part of a different story.
Would recommend?
Absolutely not.
Would recommend?
Absolutely not.
January 6, 2012
Pandora of Athens
Barry Denenberg
This story is about a 13 year old girl named Pandora. "Silence , submission, and suffocation" are the words her and her father think of women. This book takes place in 399 B.C. in Athens. Pandora is only allowed to visit her best friend named Appolonia or go to the Fountain House to get fresh water. One day at the Fountain House Pandora sees a large crowd gathering. When she ventures closer, she sees that everyone is listening to an elderly man, the Wise One, speak. As he leaves, he asks Pandora her name and invites to meet with her in a week. Pandora is fascinated by this invitation and can't wait for the days to pass until she'll see him again. On the day that he asked her to come over, Pandora is sad to find the Wise One is not there. He has sent a messenger instead, a handsome young boy named Phoenix, to explain his absence and invite her to a party. Pandora had never been to a party and decides to go. She knows she can't speak of the party at her house because she is worried that her dad and step mom will find out and will get mad at her. She diasgises herself as a boy because girls aren't welcome in this kind of occasion. She gets caught by her step mom. Her step mom takes her to a physician and he recommends that she is to be married immediatly. She decides that she won't marry the man she was going to, she will only marry Pheonix. She joins him, "taking his hand without speaking a word."
I would rate this book a 3 star because I personally liked it, ut, it just wasn't the best book for me.
I would recommend this book to the kind of people who like mythology kind of books, or romance lovers.
Barry Denenberg
This story is about a 13 year old girl named Pandora. "Silence , submission, and suffocation" are the words her and her father think of women. This book takes place in 399 B.C. in Athens. Pandora is only allowed to visit her best friend named Appolonia or go to the Fountain House to get fresh water. One day at the Fountain House Pandora sees a large crowd gathering. When she ventures closer, she sees that everyone is listening to an elderly man, the Wise One, speak. As he leaves, he asks Pandora her name and invites to meet with her in a week. Pandora is fascinated by this invitation and can't wait for the days to pass until she'll see him again. On the day that he asked her to come over, Pandora is sad to find the Wise One is not there. He has sent a messenger instead, a handsome young boy named Phoenix, to explain his absence and invite her to a party. Pandora had never been to a party and decides to go. She knows she can't speak of the party at her house because she is worried that her dad and step mom will find out and will get mad at her. She diasgises herself as a boy because girls aren't welcome in this kind of occasion. She gets caught by her step mom. Her step mom takes her to a physician and he recommends that she is to be married immediatly. She decides that she won't marry the man she was going to, she will only marry Pheonix. She joins him, "taking his hand without speaking a word."
I would rate this book a 3 star because I personally liked it, ut, it just wasn't the best book for me.
I would recommend this book to the kind of people who like mythology kind of books, or romance lovers.
February 3, 2016
This is the story of Greek girl from a rich family. Pandora is like most Greek girls of the time. She has very little future ahead of her except as a wife. She will not be allowed to vote, and women are not expected to get an education. She is kept home most of the time, but on one of her trips to get some water she runs into the philosopher Socrates.
Socrates is one of the most famous of all philosophers, and in this story he befriends Pandora who becomes interested in the way Socrates talks and questions things. There is also a young boy who befriends her. Pandora gets to go to one party and listen to Socrates talk, then he ends up being arrested and tried by the state. He's found guilty and ends up drinking poison.
The book is interesting in that it shows a little bit of the average daily life of a rich girl of ancient Greece, yet in some ways a lot of potential is lost in the novel. Because Pandora is kept inside almost all the time there are no references to her going around Athens and seeing any of its wonders. There probably could also have been some material added about her daily live and the lives of other peoples of that time.
Her interest in Socrates is understandable since Pandora is a rather independent and very intelligent girl yet Socrates seems to take a great interest in the girl almost too quickly. Her decision to run away and follow her boyfriend after the death of Socrates is understandable, but I still think she would have left at least a short note for her family.
In effect, the book seems sort of rushed and a little artificial. It's all right, but it could be a lot better.
Socrates is one of the most famous of all philosophers, and in this story he befriends Pandora who becomes interested in the way Socrates talks and questions things. There is also a young boy who befriends her. Pandora gets to go to one party and listen to Socrates talk, then he ends up being arrested and tried by the state. He's found guilty and ends up drinking poison.
The book is interesting in that it shows a little bit of the average daily life of a rich girl of ancient Greece, yet in some ways a lot of potential is lost in the novel. Because Pandora is kept inside almost all the time there are no references to her going around Athens and seeing any of its wonders. There probably could also have been some material added about her daily live and the lives of other peoples of that time.
Her interest in Socrates is understandable since Pandora is a rather independent and very intelligent girl yet Socrates seems to take a great interest in the girl almost too quickly. Her decision to run away and follow her boyfriend after the death of Socrates is understandable, but I still think she would have left at least a short note for her family.
In effect, the book seems sort of rushed and a little artificial. It's all right, but it could be a lot better.
May 28, 2015
A thirteen year old girl named Pandora lives with her father that believes in 'silence, submission, and suffocation'. Pandora is confined to her house and only allowed out of the house if she is visiting her friend, Appolonia. One day when Pandora was at the fountain house, she met a wise old man that she planned to meet again the following week. When she arrives back at the fountain the next week, she finds a handsome young boy named Phoenix instead of the old man. Phoenix, the messenger, invited Pandora to a party to make up for the old man's absence. Pandora has to sneak out of her house in order to attend the party and has the time of her life. Pandora's stepmother realizes that Pandora is acting weird and hires a physician who recommends that she get married immediately. Pandora is forced to marry her first cousin when she wants to marry Phoenix. The old man is sentenced to death and Pandora decides to run away with Phoenix.
I gave this book a three star rating because I don't prefer reading historical fiction books. Also, I couldn't relate to this story very well. However, the plot of the story was well organized and thoroughly planned out. Since I had to read a historical fiction book, I just grabbed this book off of the shelf hoping it would be interesting. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading historical fiction.
I gave this book a three star rating because I don't prefer reading historical fiction books. Also, I couldn't relate to this story very well. However, the plot of the story was well organized and thoroughly planned out. Since I had to read a historical fiction book, I just grabbed this book off of the shelf hoping it would be interesting. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading historical fiction.
March 1, 2010
Thirteen-year-old Pandora, living in Athens in the year 399 B.C., resents that as a young girl of ancient Greece, she has no say at all in her future. She is already betrothed, to a man she despises, and who is more then twice her age -- her stupid, useless cousin Menander. And as soon as she turns fourteen, she will be forced to marry him. But one day while Pandora is fetching water, she meets the philosopher Socrates, and what he tells her changes her life forever. She is even more determined to determine the course of her own future when she meets his young disciple, Phoenix, whom she knows she would marry if only she had a choice. Now Pandora must choose between a secure but joyless future, and throwing away everything she has for a chance at happiness.
I enjoyed this look at life for a young teenage girl in ancient Athens, but I did feel it was a bit too short, in particular I would have liked to see a more developed ending as it was a bit abrupt. I'd still recommend this to readers who are interested in historical fiction set in the ancient world, and I look forward to reading more from this new series.
I enjoyed this look at life for a young teenage girl in ancient Athens, but I did feel it was a bit too short, in particular I would have liked to see a more developed ending as it was a bit abrupt. I'd still recommend this to readers who are interested in historical fiction set in the ancient world, and I look forward to reading more from this new series.
December 7, 2013
This book, part of the "Life and Times" series, contains only 124 pages. The character of Pandora wasn't really fleshed out and I didn't get to know her. Likewise, the supporting characters were thin. Maybe this was due to the extreme brevity of the book. Whatever, I think that this would be a good book for Home Schoolers to learn a little about life in ancient Greece but I didn't enjoy it very much. The only thing that interested me is the ancient Greek beliefs on medical problems and the treatment for them. Pandora meets Socrates and it could have been a wonderful experience to read more about him but instead, she secretly attended a few of his talks and one party and his trial, which was glossed over.
April 2, 2016
I am a big fan of Greek history and mythology, I also enjoy reading 'diary' books from time to time such as the Dear America series, so I was pretty sure this book would be great for me. The setting was great, but the characters not so much. I found Pandora to be very bland. I would have also liked to see something other than the typical 'Sheltered girl leaves shelter, finds the perfect boy and instantly falls in love' kind of thing.
I also would have like it to be a little longer, fleshed out more. Overall it wasn't bad, it just had the potential to be something much better.
I also would have like it to be a little longer, fleshed out more. Overall it wasn't bad, it just had the potential to be something much better.
August 18, 2008
Growing up in Ancient Greece was hard. But growing a woman in Ancient Greece was even harder. Pandora is growing up-but the world around her is not. Women aren’t allowed outside, at parties, or even in the theater.
Desperate to escape a life with her much older cousin, Pandora takes the chance of lifetime when she meets Socrates.
Filled with great detail and history, Pandora of Athens tells the story of a young girl desperate for a better future.
Desperate to escape a life with her much older cousin, Pandora takes the chance of lifetime when she meets Socrates.
Filled with great detail and history, Pandora of Athens tells the story of a young girl desperate for a better future.
September 2, 2014
As with the other two books in this now-defunct series (and it's probably better that way, truthfully) the plot was very thinly developed. I really can see this one being so much more than it ended up being.
I can only imagine what it must be like for a successful author to put out something so out of character from the rest of his work. All I can think is that his publisher asked for it and rushed him for a manuscript...for what other reason would you cheat the story like this? *sigh*
I can only imagine what it must be like for a successful author to put out something so out of character from the rest of his work. All I can think is that his publisher asked for it and rushed him for a manuscript...for what other reason would you cheat the story like this? *sigh*
June 9, 2016
Pandora of athens by Barry Denenberg is a likable book. I particularly like Pandora, and her disapproval of her father and brother. She believes women should be equal, and longed for a life like her stepmother had had. I was greatly interested by the fact that socrates though all should be equal, and condoned the fact that pandora was a girl. I liked the book, but it was not perfect. It ends abruptly, and i belive that takes away from the whole experience.
May 4, 2014
As a historical book telling readers about how life was for young girls in Athens, the book is good. Denenberg add lots of vocabulary and description about like in Greece and the genera idea of philosophy. However, the story itself is boring and Pandora is the most uninteresting, flat character ever. Mercifully it is a short, fast read.
February 14, 2015
What a great introduction to the teaching of Socrates. This is a great book about what its like to be a girl child of the elite in Greece. Its also a great peep into Greek culture of ancient times. I enjoyed this book and really enjoyed reading one girls coming of age right when a new way of thinking was being pondered by one of the worlds greatest thinkers of all time.
March 3, 2016
Pandora is named after the famous character from Greek mythology, and she takes after her namesake in terms of being curious and wanting more. Pandora is not happy with her secluded life as an aristocratic young girl living in Ancient Athens. The book provides an interesting point of view for the time period.
August 20, 2023
This is a nice short historical fiction book, I would guess mainly geared towards readers 12-14. It touches on more mature topics but in a subtle way that younger readers would not notice or understand. It's immersive and has great appeal to readers of that age range, in addition to providing some historical background on Ancient Greece.
August 10, 2008
this is the book that turned me onto reading greek mythology, it add a realistic fiction sense to the entire era of ancient greece, which made it less. well, dull.
even if it was meant for a younger age group, it was a good quick read, which remains as one of my favorite books.
even if it was meant for a younger age group, it was a good quick read, which remains as one of my favorite books.
October 13, 2015
The reason I gave it four stars instead of five, is because I felt like it was kind of short and didn't get very in depth.
Overall it was a good story. It had a fair amount of historical facts that I hadn't known, but it still seemed kind of short.
Overall it was a good story. It had a fair amount of historical facts that I hadn't known, but it still seemed kind of short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews