Pandora Gets Vain [Paperback]

Carolyn Hennesy (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Pandora

The craziest field trip ever continues as Pandora and her BFFs, Alcie and Iole, are on the hunt for the next evil, vanity, which is hiding in Egypt. But, as usual, the goddess Hera is so not helping and throws as many obstacles as she can in their way. It’s totally distracting (not to mention life-threatening!), and they keep getting pulled off course.  Fortunately the other gods and goddesses aren’t nearly as nasty as Hera, and they secretly help out the gang whenever they can. Pandy and her friends (including a new, totally adorable boy-slash-bodyguard) see it all, from a wild thunderstorm at sea and a group of talking dolphins to an . . . um . . . eye-thingy monster that’s just really, really scary. It sounds crazy, but don’t worry: Pandy can handle it . . . right?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Pandora and her friends continue their quest to recover the evils that were accidentally released from her box. Here, the young protagonists travel to Egypt to track down vanity. Along the way, they encounter sea storms, helpful dolphins, ancient tombs, and a caravan of wonders, all the while being threatened by the plotting goddess Hera. Although set in classical times, this fantasy reads more like a current-day adolescent adventure. The characters use contemporary teenage idioms, making the text accessible to readers, and a glossary of gods, historical figures, and other relevant terms is provided. Classical Greek and Egyptian religion and history tread lightly in the story's background, and certain elements have been modernized (Pandy uses a conch shell much like a cell phone). Action is balanced with dialogue and description, and a tongue-in-cheek tone casts a whimsical light upon the overall events. Less successful are brief scenes depicting sword-wielding Arab men who spout sexist remarks, seemingly reinforcing negative stereotypes. Still, the smoothly written narrative makes this a suitable choice for larger libraries serving fans of fantasy and mythology.—Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Carolyn Hennesy is the author of Pandora Gets Jealous. A Los Angeles native, she has over twenty-five years’ experience in the entertainment industry, having appeared in more than two hundred films, TV shows, commercials, and live stage productions. In addition to her full-time acting and writing careers, Ms. Hennesy also teaches improvisational comedy and has become a flying trapeze artist. She lives in the Los Angeles area.

www.carolynhennesy.com

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (October 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599903296
• ISBN-13: 978-1599903293
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Greek & Roman
  • #60 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > General
  • #88 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Greek & Roman

More About the Author

Carolyn Hennesy is the author of Pandora Gets Jealous. A Los Angeles native, she has over twenty-five years' experience in the entertainment industry, having appeared in more than two hundred films, TV shows, commercials, and live stage productions. In addition to her full-time acting and writing careers, Ms. Hennesy also teaches improvisational comedy and has become a flying trapeze artist. She lives in the Los Angeles area.www.carolynhennesy.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Tween Series, September 9, 2009

By 

Sandra Kirkland (High Point, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pandora Gets Vain (Hardcover)

Carolyn Hennesy has created a book series that combines adventure and fun with an introduction to mythology in a format that entertains and educates young readers. Pandora, a thirteen year old girl has through curiosity, unleashed the evils contained in a box entrusted to her family by the gods. Regardless of her intent, the result was setting free evil in the world. Now she is tasked with recapturing all these evils so that the world is safe and her family is not eternally punished. Her friends, Alcie and Iole, accompany her on her mission.

In this second book of the series, Pandora Gets Vain, the girls are on the trail of Vanity which they have determined is in Egypt. The book opens with a terrific storm at sea, which has been sent by Hera. Hera is jealous of Pandora and tries to thwart her mission at every turn. Homer, the young poet, has been sent by his father to guard them. They soon are involved in spine-tingling adventures such as combatting ancient guardians of pyramids and tombs, traveling with a group of magicians and carnival folks, and being rescued by dolphins from a watery grave. They wend their way to Egypt, where Vanity, in the form of a mirror, is in the possession of Cleopatra, the most beautiful Egyptian ruler. The unfolding of the capture of Vanity forms the backbone of the book. Gods encountered along the way include Poseidon, Apollo, Osiris, Hera and Athena. There are mummies, villians and heroes and the rewards and wonders of friendship which helps one overcome obstacles.

Hennesy has a hit series on her hands. Along with the excitement of the various adventures, young readers are introduced to mythological characters. Pandora and her friends are typical tweens and share the characteristics of young teenagers while also being tasked with an overwhelming responsibility. Consequences of actions are made plain as is the message of taking responsibility for one's actions. The various gods and historical figures introduced in the book give readers an interesting introduction to these characters. The series will continue as the rest of the evils unleashed on the world are recaptured by Pandora and her friends. This book is highly recommended for young teenage readers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, February 11, 2009

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pandora Gets Vain (Pandora (Hardback)) (Hardcover)

Pandora Atheneus Andromaeche Helena, "Pandy" to her friends and family, is still on her quest to save the world.

The only daughter of the Titan, Prometheus, Pandy is in trouble with Zeus. Due to an unfortunate incident at school, all the evils of the world have been released from a box that was entrusted to her father. Zeus has ordered that Pandora find each of them in order to save the world, and her family. Pandy, along with her friends Alcie and Iole, have already located Jealousy - and are now headed to Egypt to find Vanity.

The task itself is difficult but Pandy is also facing the ire of Zeus' wife, Hera, who is determined that Pandora will fail on her quest. Hera has devised dangerous obstacles along every step of Pandora's journey in an attempt to stop her. While the other gods are sympathetic to Pandy, nobody would dare to interfere with Hera's plans.

Not right out in the open anyway, but what Hera doesn't know...

This time a very handsome bodyguard joins Pandy and her friends. Homer, a poet at heart, didn't really make it in gladiator training. His father has sent him to deliver parcels to his uncle and ordered him to protect the girls on their journey. Will the quiet and very handsome boy prove to be a help or a distraction? He has certainly distracted Alcie.

Now the friends find themselves in a land where they do not speak the language and do not know the customs. To make matters worse, they've come upon a traveling troupe of performers from around the world. With so many different languages in one group, is there any way the girls can communicate?

Well, if the gods are on your side, anything is possible.

PANDORA GETS VAIN is an enjoyable follow-up to the first book, PANDORA GETS JEALOUS, and will leave you waiting anxiously for the next!

Reviewed by: JodiG.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It, May 26, 2011

By 

Wicked Reader (California, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pandora Gets Vain (Paperback)

I got this book for my god daughter, who read the first one and just LOVED IT. I read them after her and then we compeer and see what we thought of the book. Carolyn Hennesy knows how to write for girls and does it well. We are reading them in order and can't wait to read them all.