Athena the Brain

Goddess Girls Graphic Novels #1

by Joan Holub, David Campiti (adaptor), Suzanne Williams

Athena finds out she’s a goddess and goes to Mount Olympus Academy in this first book in the Goddess Girls Graphic Novel series, based on the popular and long-running Goddess Girls series.

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.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Mythology, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Childrens

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2022

About the author

NY 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!

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read some of the original series and they were so I'm not surprised that I've found the graphic novel adaptation to just be okay as well. Unfortunately, this didn't work out super well for me and aspects of it were confusing and not plotted in a proper manner. I thought Athena wanted to enter the inventors competition, appeared to set up for the competition, only for readers to find out that she never truly entered. I think I understood the intention of that, but it didn't translate well into graphic novel format. Also, I'm confused on how Poseidon was a child at this school, but Zeus was the principle. That didn't makes sense considering the two are brothers. The artwork was okay and it was interesting getting to see all of the Greek gods and goddesses. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series, but I understand why people find them so enjoyable.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I had so much fun with this! Such a great mythological time! Lol! Athena always knew she was smart & 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 & dealing with her dad, Zeus. Luckily, she meets the Goddess Girls & finds the best friends she’s ever had. This was such a great take on Greek mythology. Having the goddess girls & godboys going to school at Mount Olympus-with Zeus as Principal lol. Loved seeing the authors take on how school might go for them. Many of the same worries & issues young people can relate to-along with some that are un-relatable lol like magic, etc. of course. This follows Athena who finds out she is a goddess, & Zeus is her dad! And he wants her to come to school! Lol With the help of a great group of friends she makes when she gets there, she slowly learns the new ways of her life, & gets more comfortable & confident. I loved the friendship dynamics in here so much. Great humor as well. I loved how Medusa’s story is playing out so far, & can’t wait to see more there-see more of everything actually. I loved this! The the cover by Manuel Preitano & art by Eduardo Garcia is STUNNING too! So in love. Great adaptation by David Campiti also I now want to buy the books & read the series as well! Lol Highly recommend! Already halfway through the 2nd one!💜

[Melanie (aka DarkBeauty73) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this I really did. But their were times like a page or panel was missing. It jumped from one thought to another. It was hard to keep up what was going on. I love graphic novels and even tho this wasn't for my age group I still found it lacking. Their was only one or two parts that I really like but that was it. I felt like Athena dumped into the middle of a story with no clue what was going on. If that was the intent then well done. Other wise the art was wonderful and helped more then the dialog to follow what was going on.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 3 out of 5]

I personally love Greek mythology and originally started diving into on my own when I was a kid and kept researching and reading about all the way through high school. I have been looking for a fun way to introduce Greek mythology to my elementary age kids and thought this graphic novel might be it.

It is not. I feel like I would have to read this with them (which is fine) and point out all the back stories of the characters and events that happen to make this story make sense.

The story was fine on it’s own but not something for first time readers to Greek mythology. There is too much to get confused by or to understand.

I would recommend this to middle school/junior high readers who have an interest in Greek mythology.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. It felt as though the reader was expected to have read the book first, because it felt like there were chunks missing. I do love a graphic novel adaptation, but it needs to be able to stand on its own. I'm still looking forward to reading the original format, though!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Athena has just found out some shocking news. She's the daughter of Zeus and now she's being summoned to Mount Olympus Academy. She'll meet new friends (and enemies), create some exciting inventions, and try to get the hang of this whole goddess thing.

While I haven't read the original book, this graphic novel adaptation felt pretty chaotic. There seemed to be chunks missing and the transitions were often very abrupt.

In terms of adapting Greek mythology, there were some fun spins such as Athena competing against Poseidon in an invention fair (their competition for Athens) and the gods and goddesses sending heroes on a quest for Hero-ology class (Trojan War/Helen of Troy). Other aspects I didn't like so much like making Medusa a mean girl who is jealous of Athena because Poseidon has a crush on her. I'll admit, I've got a soft spot for poor Medusa and this version did her dirty. Also, the story of how she got her powers was quite the stretch.

Artwork is nice. Brightly colored and engaging.

Would work fine for those who already know the Greek myths mentioned. I think it will be enjoyable for those who aren't familiar with the originals, but they're definitely missing out on the actual stories this is based on.

I found this one alright. Would work for those who enjoyed the original novels. Probably won't continue the graphic novels, but I'd like to try out some of the originals sometime.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel adaptation of Holub's reimaging of Greek mythology in the halls of a school on Mount Olympus run by Zeus. Athena has been raised by mortal parents in Greece when she gets a summons to attend Triton Junior High since she is the daughter of Zeus. Athena is just getting used to the idea of being a goddess and there's a lot to catch up on and adjust to at Triton Junior High. She has to maneuver making new friends and finding her place on top of that. Can she fit in and make it?

I haven't read any of the original novels, but they are pretty popular at our school. This was a fun concept with the various mythological characters reimagined as middle schoolers (or teachers). They still retain some of their interests and main personalities but the story is all Holub's own. Athena is a likable character and faces problems that middle schoolers can relate to. The illustration style and length of this are perfect for the current tastes of our readers. I know this will never be on the shelves. I've read another book (Oh My Gods) that has a girl attend a school her father Zeus runs, but it is a HS and it came out after the original Goddess Girls novels and feels different. Those who like one will likely enjoy the other, though.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There's some mean girls but they get negative consequences for what they try to do. No violence.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This does a relatively good job of condensing the Goddess Girls books into a graphic novel format. The artwork is bright, colourful and sharp. And the story moves quickly. My main reason for bumping this down to a 3 star is that it moves a little too quickly with a lot of jumping around. There were also a lot of gaps in the story and spots that assumed you knew the mythology which for a younger reader would not necessarily be the case.

My daughter had the books in the series from when she was a kid and said the books did a better job of filling in the gaps for sure.

[C.W. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. It is a nice take on the Greek world. I was confused about Poseidon being younger than Zeus since Hades is the oldest brother and Poseidon come right after him. Zeus is the younger brother of both of them and he saved them. I understand this is a children's fiction book, but I think that part should have stayed the same. That is just me. Otherwise the art is cute in the book and loved the story.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun graphic novel about gods and goddesses as kids going to school together, some fun myths coming alive. I love the different ways that stories are added into this book - the Trojan horse for example is a hero school project. I definitely laughed a bit at knowing what would happen next. Enjoying the characters and loving to see this in graphic format, I know the chapter book series was a huge hit at my last school I worked at.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute- I don't remember the original that well, but the dialogue felt pretty spot-on, although I do wonder if they cut anything for time.

I think my one complaint is that I really liked the hairstyles on Athena, Aprhodite and Persephone on the original covers. I am not such a big fan of the new ones, but eh, other than that? The art was very adorable. The story was fun- although, that might just be my nostalgia talking.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 5yo loved this book “so much” but it fell flat for me. The story felt a bit chaotic and clunky. Athena discovers her dad is Zeus as he summons her to the Olympus Academy for goddess school. The book itself was clever in its incorporation of Greek mythology, and the graphics were bright and colorful (though at times crowded). I think there are other series I’ll explore before revisiting this one.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Athena didn't know she was a Goddess. That is until she gets sent a summons to attend a new school for God and Goddesses. There is a large learning curve. Athena is incredibly smart and she catches on quickly. She may catch on quickly but that doesn't stop the bullies. Medusa being one of them.
I read the second book first but this is one is just like that one. This graphic novel is another "learn a lesson" book for younger kids.

[asiya | アセヤ (free palestine) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so.... This book really sucked. Like, the art was very lukewarm and I felt as thought it just could have been done better. I'm glad that it was a fast read though, ha-ha. I REALLY liked the whole Athena-controlling-Odysseus-while-practicing-in-school-type of hype. It just added a really creative kind of touch.

[🐘bookworm🐘 · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw that there was a graphic novel version of Goddess Girls, I was really excited. But I thought that this book was kind of rushed in some areas and confusing. I liked some parts, and I thought the end was fine. Overall a 2.5 or 3 to this book.

Edit: I do recommend the regular novel version! I personally think this book didn’t do the other one justice. Please read the other version!

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much the same plot as the novel (from what I remember) but it was even better being able to see everything that was happening! I love that the story is based in actual Greek mythology. I will definitely be purchasing for my school library!

[Jenna Andersen]

I love reading the graphic novel versions of books! This one was no exception. I read the book version a while ago so it was good t refresh my memory. Also on the covers of the actual books the characters don't look like they are supposed to, so I liked seeing in the graphic novel how they looked.

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

12 year old Athena discovers she's the daughter of Zeus and moves to Mount Olympus to go to school. Wish fulfillment and mean girls abound. I thought it was pretty awful but I think 4th and 5th grade girls will like it.

[Anna Salvesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this graphic novel! Athena didn't know she was a goddess here on earth. She goes to Mt. Olympus Academy and her dad is Zeus. Her mom is a fly in her dad's brain. She enters an invention contest after inventing two instruments and olives. And she wins for the olives.

[Marisa Gettas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got what the series is about. I won’t be reading anymore, but I get why children love these!

[Lo Wayward Tomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute.

[Gurminder singh warraich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how there was a really long scroll / sheet

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed reading this story and were wondering if the rest of the series will be turned into graphic novels or not?

[Jessica (ThatDamFangirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun to read and I liked the idea of Greek mythology characters going to school.

[Naisha Jhunjhunwala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like Greek mythology and understanding cliques, this is for you.

[Chloedoggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with girls. Cute

[Brigitte Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, great graphics

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I re-read this RIGHT after finishing the prose chapter book version and they did a great job adapting it from traditional chapter to Graphic Chapter. Only a few things were changed here and there in ways to make the illustration process easier.


Re-read for Girl Scout Troop Book Group