In Athena the Brain, Athena always knew she was smart and special, but she didn’t realize that she was a goddess! When she’s whisked away to Mount Olympus Academy, she worries about fitting in and dealing with her dad (Zeus). Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls and finds the best friends she’s ever had.
Athena the Brain (Goddess Girls)
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 3–6—Holub and Williams take readers into the world of the preteen goddesses at Mount Olympus Academy, which is staffed by the likes of Mr. Cyclops and the principal, Zeus. In the first book, 12-year-old Athena's life changes when a papyrus scroll blows into her window informing her that she's Zeus's daughter and must attend Mount Olympus Academy with the other "godboys" and "goddessgirls." At first she's doubtful she can balance school, a social life, and extracurricular activities; however, Athena proves her intellect by ending the Trojan War in Hero-ology, winning the invention fair, and thwarting mean-girl Medusa. In the second title, Persephone is a self-proclaimed phony. She's overly agreeable and conforms to the opinions and pressures of others. While escaping to Earth to get some peace, she wanders into a graveyard and begins a relationship with Hades, the misunderstood outcast. In the end, she learns that true friends will like you even if you express differing opinions. On top of Mount Olympus, the authors intertwine an enchanting mythological world with middle-school woes compounded by life as a deity or blessed mortal. The books should be popular with fans of girly, light fantasy. Be ready to refer readers to solid books on Greek mythology for further reading.—Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
From Booklist
Everything changes for 12-year-old Athena the day she is summoned from Earth to Mount Olympus by none other than her (surprise!) dad, Zeus. She enrolls at Mount Olympus Academy, a place of godboys and goddessgirls, where classes like Hero-ology, Spell-ology, and Beauty-ology complete a proper goddess education. Jealous Medusa tries to sabotage Athena, but quick thinking and good friends help her prevail over the bitter girl with the weird hairdo. This is a clever take on Greek deities and the Trojan War, but younger readers may not appreciate just how adroitly the authors tell the tale and older readers may want a richer mixture of character and dialogue than exists in this candy-coated story. Still, aside from questions of audience, this is a quick, agreeable read particularly well suited for those who enjoy a good Disney princess movie now and then. The next book in the Goddess Girls series, Persephone the Phony, is already available. Grades 4-6. --Cindy Welch
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Alison
Format:Paperback
Athena The Brain is an adorable light take on Greek mythology. Athena has grown up as an orphan on Earth, living with her friend's family. She's always been different - smarter, better. Now she knows why - she's the daughter of Zeus! She is summoned to attend Mount Olympus Academy with all the other goddessgirls, godboys, and a few errant mortals.
Athena's story is relatable to any girl who has started a new school. She's scared and excited. Even though she's brilliant, Hero-ology, Beast-ology and other classes are new to her. Plus, there's all these new people. Nice girls like Aphrodite, handsome boys like Poseidon, strange girls like Pandora, and mean girls like Medusa. Plus Zeus, her dad, can be just as difficult as he can be charming.
This was such a fun book. It takes all the elements of Greek mythology that we all learn in school and turns it into a cute, fluffy story. I haven't studied Greek mythology since 6th grade and never really liked it that much, but I had no trouble keeping up with the characters and the stories. I especially loved Pandora, whose incessant curiosity made her a nosy yet loveable character.
I don't have any major problems with this book. It's meant for fun (and enjoyable education), so it's not exactly literary quality. But that doesn't make the book any less worthy. The only thing I wish had been done differently was a better depiction of Athena's life prior to going to Mount Olympus Academy. The beginning threw her into the plot too quickly. But such a preface probably would have just added unnecessary pages and plot set-up, so I'm not too troubled.
The story very loosely follows Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, two epic poems that I really liked in high school. The kids were playing with mortals in hero-ology and inadvertently create a huge conflict. It was fun to see how every little detail connected to Greek history and mythology. Learn the "real" idea behind the Trojan horse.
The first Goddess Girl is a quick, easy, light read. It's a must read for lovers of Greek mythology, but even people who have no particular affinity for it will find something to enjoy. I think it would be ideal as a co-read for students learning mythology in school.
Rating: 4 / 5
Athena's story is relatable to any girl who has started a new school. She's scared and excited. Even though she's brilliant, Hero-ology, Beast-ology and other classes are new to her. Plus, there's all these new people. Nice girls like Aphrodite, handsome boys like Poseidon, strange girls like Pandora, and mean girls like Medusa. Plus Zeus, her dad, can be just as difficult as he can be charming.
This was such a fun book. It takes all the elements of Greek mythology that we all learn in school and turns it into a cute, fluffy story. I haven't studied Greek mythology since 6th grade and never really liked it that much, but I had no trouble keeping up with the characters and the stories. I especially loved Pandora, whose incessant curiosity made her a nosy yet loveable character.
I don't have any major problems with this book. It's meant for fun (and enjoyable education), so it's not exactly literary quality. But that doesn't make the book any less worthy. The only thing I wish had been done differently was a better depiction of Athena's life prior to going to Mount Olympus Academy. The beginning threw her into the plot too quickly. But such a preface probably would have just added unnecessary pages and plot set-up, so I'm not too troubled.
The story very loosely follows Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, two epic poems that I really liked in high school. The kids were playing with mortals in hero-ology and inadvertently create a huge conflict. It was fun to see how every little detail connected to Greek history and mythology. Learn the "real" idea behind the Trojan horse.
The first Goddess Girl is a quick, easy, light read. It's a must read for lovers of Greek mythology, but even people who have no particular affinity for it will find something to enjoy. I think it would be ideal as a co-read for students learning mythology in school.
Rating: 4 / 5
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a new mystical mythical series `tweens `n teens are going to simply adore!
April 10, 2010
Format:Kindle Edition
One morning when Athena was in her bedroom, a strange breeze wafted through the window bringing along with it "a rolled-up piece of papyrus." The messenger, who was a little too formal for words, told her she had a message from Mount Olympus of all places. What she was about to read would rock her world big time. Her Dad was none other than Zeus and he was commanding her, as a goddess, to get ready to head to Mount Olympus Academy where he was the principal. This didn't happen to twelve-year-old girls and she had to check in the mirror to see if anything had changed. She'd lived in the same family with Pallas, her "sister," ever since she was a baby, but Hermes was going to show up in the morning to pick her up. A goddess?? Going to MOA? You've got to be kidding!
Ms. Hydra, the nine-headed receptionist soon got her settled in with a roster of classes and Athena was soon checking out the godboys and goddessgirls. Some were heartthrobs like Poseidon, who attracted girls like flies, while others were kind of weird like the one that was half horse. Speaking of flies, she found out her mother, Metis was one. Literally. There was Aphrodite, Pandora (who was a mere mortal), the green-haired triplets, Dionysus, and gals like Medusa who just spelled trouble. In Triton everyone "knew Athena was a brain," but just one glance at the Goddess Girl Guide with its 2,001 rules made her feel dumb. By the second day in Mr. Cyclops gave her the "stink-eye" for showing up late. AND she just found out that Pheme, whom she'd confided in about her mother, was the goddess of gossip. Medusa began to chant with her sisters, "Give me an F!" Oh, no! Was Athena EVER going to fit in at MOA? "Give me an L!" Oooooooh!
This is a new mystical mythical series `tweens `n teens are going to simply adore! I was amazed at how much mythology was seamlessly woven into the tale. These goddessgirls were totally quirky and cute and could be going to school in your town had they been mere mortals. I even had to fall in love with that snarky, snaky Medusa, especially when she . . . well, no spoilers here. The Mount Olympus Academy social life will appeal to anyone who likes a bit of Grecian fantasy in their life or simply wants to read a fun new series. All the young goddesses who will fall in love with this series will anxiously await the next book. I'm no young goddess, but I'm off to read about "Persephone the Phony." Later!
Ms. Hydra, the nine-headed receptionist soon got her settled in with a roster of classes and Athena was soon checking out the godboys and goddessgirls. Some were heartthrobs like Poseidon, who attracted girls like flies, while others were kind of weird like the one that was half horse. Speaking of flies, she found out her mother, Metis was one. Literally. There was Aphrodite, Pandora (who was a mere mortal), the green-haired triplets, Dionysus, and gals like Medusa who just spelled trouble. In Triton everyone "knew Athena was a brain," but just one glance at the Goddess Girl Guide with its 2,001 rules made her feel dumb. By the second day in Mr. Cyclops gave her the "stink-eye" for showing up late. AND she just found out that Pheme, whom she'd confided in about her mother, was the goddess of gossip. Medusa began to chant with her sisters, "Give me an F!" Oh, no! Was Athena EVER going to fit in at MOA? "Give me an L!" Oooooooh!
This is a new mystical mythical series `tweens `n teens are going to simply adore! I was amazed at how much mythology was seamlessly woven into the tale. These goddessgirls were totally quirky and cute and could be going to school in your town had they been mere mortals. I even had to fall in love with that snarky, snaky Medusa, especially when she . . . well, no spoilers here. The Mount Olympus Academy social life will appeal to anyone who likes a bit of Grecian fantasy in their life or simply wants to read a fun new series. All the young goddesses who will fall in love with this series will anxiously await the next book. I'm no young goddess, but I'm off to read about "Persephone the Phony." Later!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Kindle Edition
i just had the author(suzanne williams) come to my school the week it came out and i read it all in one day. there is a mythology theme to it and is slightly resemblimg the percy jackson series. i would totally reccomend this.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Athena the brain
This book was great! You get to experience all the high school drama and what it is like to be new at a school. Read more
Published 11 days ago by michael p chase
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Review
It was a very interesting book and I liked it because I got to know the characters if the story
Published 1 month ago by Andrea Ruiz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wanting more
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I need the second book! I liked this book a lot. I really really need the second one though.
Published 2 months ago by Julie L. Case
5.0 out of 5 stars
Athena the brain
I love it cuz it is so cool you need to read it! If you do you will die!!!! Lillian
Published 2 months ago by kitty diva 202
5.0 out of 5 stars
My daughter loved it
She liked the story and I liked that we could use it for AR. Accelerated Reader program at her school.
Published 2 months ago by Donna A Elkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVED THE BOOK SO MUCH!
I think the book rocked. It teaches you when your going to a new school or something it will always get better. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kennedy Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Book was good I prefer it for ages 8-10
It was a Good book
The book seemed interesting
The name's in the book were pretty
It was a Good book
The book seemed interesting
The name's in the book were pretty
Published 3 months ago by Paige Millan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Don`t like that much
It was a interesting book but then I got bored of it. You would might like it but I did not like
Published 3 months ago by ML
5.0 out of 5 stars
Athena the brain
This book is amazing! It uses interesting vocabulary making it easier to visualize. I think everyone should read this book! :)
Published 3 months ago by Maia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Athena
Athena the brain is a great book I love the authors writing style. The first of the goddess girls series is a great book
Published 3 months ago by Todd Sandifer
