Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy

Fresh out of the box comes a fun new series of books by Carolyn Hennesy called Mythic Miss-Adventures. Aimed at tween readers, the books retell the Greek myth of Pandora's Box in a humorous way, utilizing fairly contemporary language while retaining the original setting of Ancient Greece and populating the story with gods and mortals.

As the legend goes, Pandora carried a box which contained the seven evils of mankind: envy, vanity, lying, greed, slander, pining, and hope. In the first book, Pandora Gets Jealous, a teenaged Pandora brings the ill-fated box to school for a project. After a popular classmate accidentally opens the box, Pandora meets the gods, accepts the blame, and heads out on her quest. Read my full review.

Related Booklist: It's All Greek to Me

A Ton of Teen Titles

Hi everyone!

In recent weeks, I've posted many reviews of teen titles, including some new releases and some old favorites:

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson - Maureen Johnson's sixth novel - and Scholastic debut - is not to be missed. Johnson's trademark wit is here as is her ability to capture simple truths. There are many truths to be told here about families, first loves, careers, living in New York City, and simply growing up. Read the entire review.

Feathered by Laura Kasischke - Feathered tells the story of two best friends who travel to Cancun for Spring Break. After an auspicious start, the unexpected happens, and their dream vacation turns into a nightmare which they can't simply escape by waking - which, perhaps, they cannot escape at all. Read the entire review.

Confessions of a Not It Girl by Melissa Kantor - Kudos to Melissa Kantor for giving us a teen romantic comedy that is both funny and clean. The writing is fresh and modern without relying too heavily on pop culture references, so it will stand the test of time. It will appeal to adults and teenagers alike, as Jan is G-rated enough for the younger set but she is also fumbling and quirky enough for the twentysomethings trying to make their way through. Read the entire review.

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti - This book is packed with unique, memorable folks. In Indigo and her family, Deb Caletti has created some of her most down-to-earth characters. This book is about a girl on the cusp of adulthood who actually likes her life and doesn't really want it to change that much. She would rather be poor and happy than wealthy and miserable. Read the entire review.

Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark - From the author of The Alison Rules comes the story of an atypical family's atypical time on the road. Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark is a fun trip, so get on the bus, stow your bags, and settle in. Read the entire review.

Enjoy!
~ Little Willow

Review: The Maggie Valley Trilogy by Kerry Madden

In GENTLE'S HOLLER, Kerry Madden introduces young readers to Olivia (better known as Livy Two) Weems, a twelve-year-old with a passion for books and music. Livy has eight siblings of various ages and temperaments, a sweet mama, and a starry-eyed daddy. Money's tight - Daddy's music fills the heart and ears more than it fills the pocketbook - but the Weems make do, and their household is always bursting with family, love, and music. Livy Two also sings and plays music, often writing songs about the struggles her family has faced and the hardships they've overcome. The story is set in 1960s North Carolina, a beautiful backdrop for this artistic and energetic family.

Read my reviews of all three books in the Maggie Valley trilogy:

Gentle's Holler
Louisiana's Song
Jessie's Mountain