Medusa Gorgon's Bad Hair Day

by Bethany Walker

 


Twelve-year-old Meddy Gordon has serious anger issues.

In this hilarious book for middle-grade readers, Meddy
rants about  family and friendships, using her diary as a way
of letting out her anger and keeping her emotions in check. 



So far, so normal. You know the kind of frustrations with
her self-absorbed sisters; problems with idiotic classmates; disagreements
with pompous teachers; and, of course, her troubles
dealing with the occasional flock of owls, swarms of snakes, or even
the odd many-headed dog.


And then there's the small problem of the snake hair that appears
if she doesn't control her anger...


You see, Meddy Gordon is not actually from the twenty-first century.
She is, in fact, a human from ancient Greece and she has made
a powerful enemy.


Meddy G is MEDUSA and she just happens to have angered Athena,
the goddess of war. And what happens when the goddess of war is
on the warpath? You get a bad day. A very bad day indeed.



Meddy Gorgon is loosly based on the famous Greek myth of Medusa,
ideal for young fans of Greek mythology!
A highly illustrated book, great for fans of the
Diary of a (sort of) Hero and Lottie Brooks.

Funny and fantastic illustrations by Katie Abey who has illustrated
over fifty books for children. 

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

Reviews

[Tom Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good mix of Lottie Brooks and Loki. In an overcrowded and long-overdone part of the middle grade market this really stands out. Funny, surprising and informative.

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Medusa is guardian of Athena’s shield, which is a fairly dull job so she longs for a bit more excitement. Little does she know that she'll end up with more than she ever thought possible. Medusa ends up losing her temper and starting off a chain of events which sees her being sent to the twenty-first century to a secondary school as a punishment. Trying to navigate life at Shadewell Academy as a preteenager is no easy feat, add in a task to be completed before she can return home and things start to get messy.

Written diary style with fantastic illustrations and a fabulous cast of side characters (Jeremy we love you!). This book was a chuckle out loud read.

It cleverly weaves in aspects of Greek mythology, friendships, family, bravery, courage, empathy and understanding.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with my son and whenever I went to put the bookmark in he was begging for another chapter. We can't wait for more

[Tracy Lander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Hannah at Scholastic for this copy of the book, which is out now.
I like Bethany's writing, Olly Brown God of Hamsters was very funny and am loving How to Train Your Teacher, a picture book, which is also going to go to school this week!
This is going to be perfect for those that have enjoyed the Hercules A sort of Hero books which are very much in the same style.
The book is highly illustrated by Katie Abey and includes some pages in graphic style too.

Medusa Gorgon is twelve, her best friend is called Arachne. She is the daughter (a human looking one) of two sea monsters...her older sisters are also sea monsters. Oh, and Athena has totally amazing hair, dark, wavy and luscious. She works for Athena, goddess of War and Wisdom. Arachne works for Aphrodite. Medusa's job is to stand in the temple and guard Athena's shield! Arachne's is to sing songs and frolic in sea foam. Pretty sure Arachne has the better job! Medusa writes a diary as Arachne informs her it might well help with her anger issues - she can write things down instead of saying or doing something!
Zeus has told everyone not to trust Hades. Hades has built a new well and Athena and Aphrodite are arguing over who is going to decorate it. Unfortunately Medusa thinks if she shows Athena Arachne's beautiful embroidery, she'll get Arachne to come and work for her...but it backfires, guess what she turns Arachne into?

Medusa is so angry about the situation - she throws Athena's shield into Hades well! And Athena punishes her...by doing something to her beautiful hair! So Medusa agrees to a contract with Hades and Athena...she will go into the well to fetch the shield so that she can have her hair back and Arachne can become human again, but she only has 24 days. She will be able to speak whatever language is spoken, she will have a guardian (or two) but she cannot tell anyone who she is and she must not lose her temper or the hair mask will start to reveal....
Medusa has to become a secondary school girl, not easy. Also not easy to hide yourself when you keep getting detention! And who are all these other strange people in detention.
But Arachne begins sending messages about the contract. Just what exactly is she getting at?

Brilliant fun.

[Jayne Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew that a story could have an angsty middle grade student's diary and Greek Mythology all rolled into one! .
Meddy G (also known as Medusa) was once a worker for the God Athena in ancient Greece before her anger got the better of her and was summoned to live in the 21st century until her punishment was over. She has to navigate a completely different century and keep her anger (and snake hair) under control. Can she do it without blowing her cover?

This is a great middle grade story with fantastic pictures and comic style throughout. It had me laughing out loud and cringing at Meddy's adventures in the 21st century. A must read!

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly brilliant. My daughter was given an ARC of this book, and we read it together. I think I actually loved it as much as she did.
It's fun, quirky, such an easy read, and the layout being like a diary with doodles and everything was the cherry on top.

Highly recommend. Especially if you have a child who doesn't want to read anything too heavy or too wordy. The layout makes it feel far more manageable for reluctant readers.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way the author managed to produce this fun diary style look at Greek mythology. This is an interesting look at Hades, Medusa and Athena.
And this book will teach us all a lesson about the consequences of losing our temper. It was a great idea to have the character sent to a modern day secondary school. Bethany Walker just gets better and better.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ACTUALLY made me laugh out loud numerous times. Medusa is sent to SECONDARY SCHOOL in OUR WORLD and so many lols ensues. This is Loki crossed with Lottie Brooks and Greek myths. I just adored it. Hilarious story, gorgeous illustrations and loads of mythical brilliance!

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hoot! First up beginning with Medusa in the Greek times and then her in England of now with Oracle Alexa, magic items (phones and such), a mission (get that shield back), two sisters (who want to become influencers), and more! I laughed so many times~