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Young Reading: Yesterday's myths, today's youth
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Published: May 25, 2008
Wishing the Greek Festival continued to this weekend? Pick up these excellent reads that combine Greek mythology and lore with modern plots for one of the best assembly of books I've found on one topic. All would make excellent additions to mythology units or just good books for pleasure reading.
DUSSSIE. By Nancy Springer. Walker & Co. Ages 10-14. 166 pages. $16.95.
As if "becoming a woman" isn't awful enough, poor Dusie Gorgon discovers that womanhood for her side of the family also includes a headful of snakes to accompany cramps. She learns that Medusa, famous for having snaky hair and the ability to turn men to stone, was her aunt. Dusie is furious that her mother has never shared details of her lineage. Dusie must learn to accept herself as she is (and the snakes that hear her thoughts and talk back). Clever plot weaving by Nancy Springer.
OH MY GODS. By Tera Lynn Childs. Penguin. Ages 11 and up. 264 pages. $16.99.
I rank this book as pretty much close to perfect when it comes to young-adult literature. The dialogue is snappy without overdone conversation. It includes historical and cultural references throughout without appearing to be a thinly disguised social-studies lesson. The plot covers family relationships, being the new girl at school and, of course, a budding flirtation/possible romance.
Phoebe Castro, the main character, balks when her mother returns home to California from Greece with a fiance. Phoebe is in utter disbelief when her mother informs Phoebe that her senior year will be spent on a remote island with a private academy where her stepdad is the headmaster. Only this is no ordinary boarding school. Every student is descended from a Greek god or goddess. Talk about the new kid really feeling left out! Phoebe uses her racing and speed to prove herself and learns much, much more about who she really is.
PANDORA GETS JEALOUS. By Carolyn Hennesy. Bloomsbury. Ages 8-13. 264 pages. $15.95.
I'm glad I stuck with this little book. At first, the stereotypical middle-school drama set in Grecian times beleaguered me. However, I kept reading; and the story and writing kept improving to the point that I was hooked. Hennesy, who happens to be an actress on General Hospital, has recreated the opening of the fabled Pandora's box. Supposedly, when Pandora opened the box, all of the evil of the world was unleashed. In Pandora Gets Jealous, Pandora must collect all of the evil she let escape from the box she swiped from her father, Prometheus (yes, the Titan who restored fire to earth, incurring Zeus' wrath). Pandy took the box only to impress the mean girls at school. Little did she realize that one mistake would cost her more than she ever bargained to lose.
Set to become a series, Pandy's quest to recapture evil turned into a clever read after all; and I anticipate reading more about this brave quest with a modern flair.
THE LAST GIRLS OF POMPEII. By Kathryn Lasky. Penguin. Ages 11 and up. 184 pages. $15.99.
Poor Julia -- born with the "Curse of Aphrodite," she may never marry, despite her family's wealth and power. Julia's shriveled arm keeps her family from thinking that Julia could find true love. Instead, they seek a temple where she will be trained to become a priestess.
Julia cannot bear the thought of being cooped away or performing such a job. Instead, her cousin finally expresses his true feelings. Her withered arm matters not to him. They plot to escape during the wedding of Julia's insufferable sister. Instead, their plans and shot at happiness are thwarted by the eruption of Venus.
For more study about volcanoes: VOLCANOES: Witness to Disaster. By Judy and Dennis Fradin. National Geographic. 48 pages. All ages. $16.95.
NOBODY'S PRIZE. By Esther Friesner. Random House. Ages 12 and up. 306 pages. $16.99.
This was another book I could not stop reading! Helen of Sparta has resigned herself to becoming queen one day and bearing royal children. First, though, she plans to have an adventure of epic proportions. She disguises herself as a boy and finagles passage on the Argo, bound to capture the Golden Fleece for Prince Jason. She grows into her legendary beauty, ruining her disguise but creating even more escapades. Great, great read! Full of pluck and adventure!
THE McELDERRY BOOK OF GREEK MYTHS. Retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Simon & Schuster. Ages 6-10. 96 pages. $21.99.
I remember discovering Edith Hamilton's Mythology on my parents' bookshelf at an early age and becoming enthralled with the unlikely but mesmerizing stories within the tattered paperback. The McElderry Book of Greek Myths introduces young readers to ancient mythology and the tall tales that made for vivid entertainment long before television existed. Oversized with illustrations that match their Grecian stories, this book will hook a new generation into ancient folklore.
■ Monica Anderson Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com.
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