Nobody's Prize

June 1, 2008
Gr 6-9-In this sequel to "Nobody's Princess" (Random, 2007), the future Helen of Troy and her friend, the former slave Milo, join Prince Jason and the Argonauts on the quest to gain the Golden Fleece. Helen, disguised as a boy, is faced with trying to keep her identity secret from her brothers, who have also joined the quest. Her true gender is revealed when she gets her first period, so she claims to be the warrior Atalanta, a figure from the first book. When the crew of the Argo reaches Colchis, Helen meets Princess Medea, presented as a sinister and scheming figure. As Helen travels back to Sparta, she is captured by Theseus of Athens, who wants to marry her, and she needs to use both her strength and her wits to escape. Readers familiar with legends about Jason and Helen will enjoy finding familiar adventures and themes, while readers new to these myths will appreciate Friesner's detailed vision of ancient Greece. Characters are given depth and flaws, such as Jason's self-centeredness and Herakles's stretching the truth. Details about food and customs of the time are woven into the story. Helen's determination to choose her own future will resonate with modern teens, who will also appreciate her resourcefulness and determination to help those who help her. A solid choice for fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" books (Hyperion/Miramax)."Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2008
In this sequel to Nobodys Princess (2007), Helen of Sparta dons a male disguise and, along with her brothers, stows away onthe Argo, the ship Jason sails to find the Golden Fleece. She views this as her last free adventure before she takes on the responsibilities of wife, mother, and queen of Sparta. Yet, as usual, she gets more than she bargained for: crazy Herakels; evil Medea; and a chance reunion with the Athenian king, Theseus, the bridegroom from whom she has once escaped. Friesner again melds myth and fiction into an exciting adventure for both Helen and her readers. This sequel introduces a moremature Helen, who menstruates for the first time, witnesses love affairs (including those that demonstrate Medeas powerful hold on men), and finds her own object of desire.Readers will rejoice in Helens escapades and will hope for a future chapter, perhaps in which she becomes Helen of Troy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)