ATHENA

This graphic novel brings plucky illustrated energy to the story of the goddess Athena.

With both engaging, whimsical illustrations and cheeky humor, the Greenbergs retell the classical exploits of the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, from her painful birth from the head of Zeus and beyond. Readers watch the goddess best Poseidon, help Perseus defeat Medusa, meddle unpleasantly with mortals like Arachne, start and end the Trojan War, aid Odysseus on his journey, and generally learn to interfere less and help more throughout her adventures. In addition to telling a ripping yarn, this book gives readers an accurate and structured beginner’s foothold in the classics that will keep them reading. With its introduction to characters, visual cues across illustrations, breathtaking splash pages, glossary, and readers guide, the book opens the door to the Trojan War, The Odyssey, and Greek mythology. Further, part of what makes the Greek gods attractive and interesting is their humanity—and that is not lost here, either. Athena is brave and wise but also jealous and meddling and vain. She makes mistakes and is far from perfect, but that makes her all the more a hero for every reader.

Three cheers for Athena, smarts, and bravery!