Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

Medusa Gorgon works for the goddess, Athena, as a guardian in her temple. To help with her fiery temper, Medusa’s best friend, Arachne, has suggested she keeps a diary as an outlet to process her feelings. But when Medusa angers Athena and is banished to the twenty-first century to retrieve Athena’s shield which she (Medusa) might just have got rid of in a fit of temper, her life becomes a series of VERY bad days.

‘Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day’ is a brilliant read! Fast paced and funny, it is the perfect book to read this summer holiday!

Accessible and entertaining, the dairy style format is really popular with lots of children as the first person writing easy to engage with and this particular one is highly illustrated and hilarious. Her frustrations with the gods and the unfairness of life and her bewilderment at life at secondary school and navigating the perils of friendship groups make for very entertaining reading - with many a true word spoken in jest!

Obviously, the book draws heavily on the Greek myths, but readers don’t need to be familiar with the story of Medusa or Arachne or any of the other Gods to thoroughly enjoy the story. The author uses characters from these myths, but very much makes them her own, developing their personalities and allowing Medusa and Arachne to choose their fate.

Friendship is at the heart of the story. Although quick tempered, Medusa is a loyal, kind friend, far from the cold hearted monster of myth, easy to relate to and easy to like. The illustrations are just wonderful and add much to the story, making this an excellent addition to any bookshelf.

Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

Bethany Walker, illustrated by Katie Abey

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702340659