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Little Goddess Girls #1
Athena & the Magic Land
Little Athena finds herself on a Wizard of Oz inspired adventure in this first Little Goddess Girls story—part of the Aladdin QUIX line!
After a strange and sparkly storm carries her away from home, Athena finds herself in a land filled with magic, talking animals, and incredible objects with magical powers—the land of Mount Olympus! When Athena arrives, she’s greeted by the talking Owlies and is paired with very special magical sandals—sandals with powers that Medusa, a green, snake-haired girl, wants for herself!
A glowing goddess (of hearth and home ) named Hestia appears and warns Athena that if Medusa gets her snakes on those sandals, she’ll surely use its powers to make trouble for Mount Olympus! But Athena has more important things on her mind—like going back home! Determined to find her way back, Athena heads off on an adventure through the magical landscape of Mount Olympus to try and elude Medusa—and find her way back to the mortal world once and for all with the help of the great and powerful Zeus!
After a strange and sparkly storm carries her away from home, Athena finds herself in a land filled with magic, talking animals, and incredible objects with magical powers—the land of Mount Olympus! When Athena arrives, she’s greeted by the talking Owlies and is paired with very special magical sandals—sandals with powers that Medusa, a green, snake-haired girl, wants for herself!
A glowing goddess (of hearth and home ) named Hestia appears and warns Athena that if Medusa gets her snakes on those sandals, she’ll surely use its powers to make trouble for Mount Olympus! But Athena has more important things on her mind—like going back home! Determined to find her way back, Athena heads off on an adventure through the magical landscape of Mount Olympus to try and elude Medusa—and find her way back to the mortal world once and for all with the help of the great and powerful Zeus!
96 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2019
11 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Joan Holub
347 books1,236 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 6, 2019
First sentence: Tap. Tap. Athena pushed the buttons on the tablet she held.
Premise/plot: Athena, the heroine, is transported from the 'real' world to a magical one--Mount Olympus--in this early chapter book published by Simon & Schuster.
The first chapter is called "Hello Brick Road!" That should give readers a BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG clue as to what the plot is in this one.
My thoughts: My true first reaction was WHY?!?! I guess I was expecting MORE (actual) Greek mythology and less imitation Wizard of Oz. Because let's be honest, the story, the characters, everything is essentially just a remix of Wizard of Oz. Medusa stars as the Wicked Witch. And she's after the SANDALS with wings that have tied themselves to Athena's feet. Athena, meanwhile, just wants to GO BACK HOME. So she's told by a good goddess--not a good witch--to just follow the road to see the great god, Zeus. She's told she'll make A LOT OF NEW FRIENDS if she stays on the road.
Perhaps if I was seven or eight. Perhaps if the writing was A+++. I don't know. It shouldn't come as a big surprise that as an adult I found this one a little lacking. I am not the target audience. And reading is subjective. There is nothing inappropriate or "wrong" with this one. I am just a little confused as to why this story needs to be retold with "Greek" inspired names.
Premise/plot: Athena, the heroine, is transported from the 'real' world to a magical one--Mount Olympus--in this early chapter book published by Simon & Schuster.
The first chapter is called "Hello Brick Road!" That should give readers a BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG clue as to what the plot is in this one.
My thoughts: My true first reaction was WHY?!?! I guess I was expecting MORE (actual) Greek mythology and less imitation Wizard of Oz. Because let's be honest, the story, the characters, everything is essentially just a remix of Wizard of Oz. Medusa stars as the Wicked Witch. And she's after the SANDALS with wings that have tied themselves to Athena's feet. Athena, meanwhile, just wants to GO BACK HOME. So she's told by a good goddess--not a good witch--to just follow the road to see the great god, Zeus. She's told she'll make A LOT OF NEW FRIENDS if she stays on the road.
Perhaps if I was seven or eight. Perhaps if the writing was A+++. I don't know. It shouldn't come as a big surprise that as an adult I found this one a little lacking. I am not the target audience. And reading is subjective. There is nothing inappropriate or "wrong" with this one. I am just a little confused as to why this story needs to be retold with "Greek" inspired names.
June 30, 2024
Wizard of Oz meets Greek Gods and Goddesses? SIGN ME UP.
I'm loving the Goddess Girls series and I found this little read at the local library book sale. I adore a good middle grade read and this series has me seeing hearts in my eyes.
I think this is a great read to get young girls (and some young boys!) into the joy of reading fantasy and mythology. The Wizard of Oz references also make for a great time for the adults who know the references. I definitely want to pick up the sequel whenever I can find it. I'd love to see what these little Goddess Girls do and what trouble they get into. Especially because they tie in how friendship and teamwork help get the job done. What a beautiful story!
Three out of five stars.
I'm loving the Goddess Girls series and I found this little read at the local library book sale. I adore a good middle grade read and this series has me seeing hearts in my eyes.
I think this is a great read to get young girls (and some young boys!) into the joy of reading fantasy and mythology. The Wizard of Oz references also make for a great time for the adults who know the references. I definitely want to pick up the sequel whenever I can find it. I'd love to see what these little Goddess Girls do and what trouble they get into. Especially because they tie in how friendship and teamwork help get the job done. What a beautiful story!
Three out of five stars.
March 27, 2021
This was a cute, fun read with my 6 year old.
February 12, 2021
Nope. Nope. Nope. This book was awful. It bears only passing resemblance to Greek mythology, and even that is totally mixed up. And WHY the author felt the need to turn the myth of Medusa into a watered-down Wizard of Oz story is a total mystery.
Although I bought this book in a 2-pack from Scholastic, I am going to give away the second book without telling my daughter we have it because this book was that bad.
The Greek myths are great, and it would have been really cool to introduce my kid to Athena, an OG feminist: tough & smart. For that, I'll need to find a different book.
Although I bought this book in a 2-pack from Scholastic, I am going to give away the second book without telling my daughter we have it because this book was that bad.
The Greek myths are great, and it would have been really cool to introduce my kid to Athena, an OG feminist: tough & smart. For that, I'll need to find a different book.
June 22, 2019
This is a lovely book for those readers who are ready to dive into their first chapter books.
Athena finds herself carried away by a storm into a strange land where objects and animals can speak. As she follows the Hello Brick Road, she runs across an evil Medusa, who desperately wants Athena's sandals. But a fairy insists Medusa is up to no good. Wanting only to return home, Athena heads down the road to find Zeus. But the journey isn't easy.
Greek mythology collides with The Wizard of Oz in a cute story, which holds just the right amount of adventure for more sure readers. While I expected a little bit more on the Greek mythology side, this tale still is fun and offers readers a tale with a bit of tension, lots of humor and a golden message of friendship along the way.
The writing is just right for the intended audience. More difficult or perhaps unknown words are placed in a glossary at the end of the book. There's also a list of questions which teachers and adults can use to discuss the tale. It's a wonderful beginning to a series, one which readers are sure to enjoy. There is a cliff-hanger type of ending, which ensures that this is a series to be read from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy and found this to be such a cute story and fitting to the age group that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
Athena finds herself carried away by a storm into a strange land where objects and animals can speak. As she follows the Hello Brick Road, she runs across an evil Medusa, who desperately wants Athena's sandals. But a fairy insists Medusa is up to no good. Wanting only to return home, Athena heads down the road to find Zeus. But the journey isn't easy.
Greek mythology collides with The Wizard of Oz in a cute story, which holds just the right amount of adventure for more sure readers. While I expected a little bit more on the Greek mythology side, this tale still is fun and offers readers a tale with a bit of tension, lots of humor and a golden message of friendship along the way.
The writing is just right for the intended audience. More difficult or perhaps unknown words are placed in a glossary at the end of the book. There's also a list of questions which teachers and adults can use to discuss the tale. It's a wonderful beginning to a series, one which readers are sure to enjoy. There is a cliff-hanger type of ending, which ensures that this is a series to be read from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy and found this to be such a cute story and fitting to the age group that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
October 29, 2024
A magical storm whisks Athena to a strange place where magic is real and her wished for dog becomes a reality. But she does want to get home. A friendly being tells her she needs to follow the Hello Brick Road to find Zeus who can help her get home. She is joined by a girl named Persephone who needs Zeus help too, but they are also followed by the mean Medusa who is trying to get the magic flying sandals Athena was given.
I've read some of the later story arcs in this series, but had never read the first one. This was an odd mash up of Greek mythology and the Wizard of Oz (there are clear parallels between Athena and Dorothy, the Hello Brick Road and the Yellow Brick Road, Medusa and the Wicked Witch, flying sandals and ruby slippers, and the quest to find a powerful magic wielder who can help them out). It worked, but was kind of unexpected.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Medusa turns someone to stone but that doesn't last long.
Ethnic diversity: The illustrations inside are black and white, but shading implies some characters are people of color.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Persephone thinks she is cursed by bad luck and that's why she is trying to see Zeus.
I've read some of the later story arcs in this series, but had never read the first one. This was an odd mash up of Greek mythology and the Wizard of Oz (there are clear parallels between Athena and Dorothy, the Hello Brick Road and the Yellow Brick Road, Medusa and the Wicked Witch, flying sandals and ruby slippers, and the quest to find a powerful magic wielder who can help them out). It worked, but was kind of unexpected.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: Medusa turns someone to stone but that doesn't last long.
Ethnic diversity: The illustrations inside are black and white, but shading implies some characters are people of color.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Persephone thinks she is cursed by bad luck and that's why she is trying to see Zeus.
October 1, 2019
This was a cute, quick story for early chapter book readers. The sentences were easy to read and short. The characters were easy to remember & the storyline easy to follow. While it was a little weird to be basically reading a shortened version of The Wizard of Oz with Greek mythology thrown in there, I think younger readers will enjoy the quick adventure. The ending leaves a cliff hanger that will spur readers on to the next book in the series to find out what happens. Adult readers will probably surmise the storyline if they’ve ever read or seen a Wizard of Oz. Overall though, a sweet and slightly adventurous story for new chapter book readers.
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Oh there’s also a vocabulary glossary in the back, a list of characters in the front with quick bios and some discussion questions at the end as well. I appreciated having these aspects in the book & think they will add value to younger readers.
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Oh there’s also a vocabulary glossary in the back, a list of characters in the front with quick bios and some discussion questions at the end as well. I appreciated having these aspects in the book & think they will add value to younger readers.
June 29, 2025
Lho. Ini cerita bersambung toh? Kirain satu buku selesai. Athena jadi anak manusia yang masuk ke portal Magic Land setelah mengucapkan permohonan agar dia bisa melakukan petualangan bersama anjing virtualnya,Oliver.
Di Magic Land, dia bertemu Hestia dan Persephone. Hestia menyuruhnya pergi ke Sparkle City di puncak Gunung Olympus agar bisa mengajukan permohonan pada Zeus supaya bisa pulang ke dunia asalnya.
Yang jadi antagonis di sini adalah Medusa yang ingin memiliki sandal bersayap Athena. Plot ceritanya sendiri terinspirasi dari The Wizard of Oz. Athena dan Persephone harus melewati Hello Brick Road agar bisa sampai ke Sparkle City.
Di Magic Land, dia bertemu Hestia dan Persephone. Hestia menyuruhnya pergi ke Sparkle City di puncak Gunung Olympus agar bisa mengajukan permohonan pada Zeus supaya bisa pulang ke dunia asalnya.
Yang jadi antagonis di sini adalah Medusa yang ingin memiliki sandal bersayap Athena. Plot ceritanya sendiri terinspirasi dari The Wizard of Oz. Athena dan Persephone harus melewati Hello Brick Road agar bisa sampai ke Sparkle City.
June 11, 2019
This is a sugar sweet and super cute beginning reader chapter book based on both a Greek Goddess and Wizard of Oz theme. The characters and their experiences are engaging and fun. Vocabulary words are highlighted in bold print with a complete word list with definitions at the end as well as discussion questions and an author note. Part of the Quix Fast Fun Reads series.
December 29, 2019
The older kid read this out loud to us and it was amazing. She referred to the beginning pages before and during her read to see how to pronounce the names in the book correctly - a wonderful feature.
And she read the notes at the back of the book to her younger sister.
It was a delightful part of our evening, and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
And she read the notes at the back of the book to her younger sister.
It was a delightful part of our evening, and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
February 18, 2020
Little Athena is swept up in a storm and wakes up in a magical place. She must follow the Hello Brick Road to Sparkle City and ask Zeus to help her find her way back home. She meets some helpful friends along the way, but also battles some meanies like Medusa, who wants to steal her flying shoes.
Very cute. A mix of mythology and Wizard of Oz. I would definitely recommend!
Very cute. A mix of mythology and Wizard of Oz. I would definitely recommend!
July 6, 2022
A great book for kids. I read this to my sister and we got through it fast. I would recommend this to anyone with a short attention span who just wants a good book. However I don't like the things from the wizard of oz in it so I wouldn't give it 5 stars.
December 23, 2019
I like the way Athena made a new friend on hello brick road. Also I liked the way it has a lot of details. I like how the magical land have all the Greek mythological characters.
March 12, 2020
In defense of Medusa: she was defending herself.
April 30, 2020
I LOVED this book! It was funny, cute, well written AND illustrated, and there was friendship involved throughout the WHOLE book! I would recommend this book for girls the ages of 7-9.
October 17, 2020
Read for WGST 333.
October 27, 2022
My 6 year old really enjoyed this book, and it’s one she could read on her own with minimal help. It had a cute plot.
September 23, 2024
Not my favorite book we’ve read, but both my kids asked me to get the 2nd one, so they enjoyed it.
March 2, 2025
My four year old got through this in one afternoon. Not very original but an entertaining way to introduce her to mythology and the wizard of Oz.
March 10, 2025
These have been my kids favorite bedtime stories. Really fun wizard of Oz theme
October 22, 2025
Greek Mythology meets The Wizard of Oz in this cute book for intermediate readers (early chapter book).
It was mediocre for me, but my seven-year-old loved it!
It was mediocre for me, but my seven-year-old loved it!
December 15, 2025
I didn’t realize how young this series was, but it combines Greek mythology with Wizard of Oz so I am in!
July 14, 2021
Very cute and an easy read for my emerging reading.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews