Goddess of Yesterday facts for kids
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| Author | Caroline B. Cooney |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
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Publication date
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2002 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 263 |
| ISBN | 978-0-440-22930-8 |
Goddess of Yesterday is an exciting book written by Caroline B. Cooney. It tells a story based on the famous Trojan War from Greek mythology. The book was recognized as a great read for young people. It was nominated for the South Carolina Junior Book Award. It was also named a 2003 ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers.
Contents
What Is the Story About?
Anaxandra's New Life
The story begins with a girl named Anaxandra. She is the only daughter of Chrysaor, a leader on a secret island in ancient Greece. One day, King Nicander of Siphnos arrives. He demands a hostage and gifts. He takes Anaxandra to be a playmate for his daughter, Callisto.
Anaxandra cannot go home. She learns to love the small island of Siphnos. She lives there for six years with King Nicander's family.
A Dangerous Secret
One day, ships attack Siphnos harbor. Everyone is killed except Anaxandra. She survives by pretending to be Medusa. She puts an octopus on her head to scare the attackers. Menelaus, the king of Sparta, finds her. Anaxandra pretends to be Princess Callisto. She fears Menelaus will leave her if he knows her true identity.
Menelaus takes her to his home in Sparta. His family welcomes her. But his beautiful wife, Helen, is suspicious. Helen does not like "Callisto." This makes Anaxandra's life even more dangerous.
Journey to Troy
Menelaus leaves for Crete to pay a king for slaves. While he is away, Paris, a prince from Troy, arrives. He plans to steal Sparta's treasures. He also takes Helen with him. Helen is eager to go.
To save Helen's daughter, Hermione, Anaxandra takes her place. Anaxandra soon becomes the only protector of Helen's baby son, Pleisthenes. When they reach Troy, Helen reveals Anaxandra's secret again. Helen wants Anaxandra to suffer. She also ignores her own son for her new life with Paris.
War and Friendship
Helen quickly becomes popular in Troy. Only Paris's sister, Cassandra, does not like her. Cassandra can see the future. She knows Helen will destroy the city. But Cassandra is cursed. No one ever believes her predictions.
Despite her troubles, Anaxandra becomes friends with Cassandra. She also befriends Andromache, who is married to Prince Hector. Menelaus learns that Paris stole Helen and his treasures. He calls on his brother Agamemnon and Helen's former admirers. They had all promised to protect his honor. They declare war on Troy.
Helen enjoys the idea of a war fought for her. Anaxandra, however, falls in love with Euneus. He is the neutral king of Lemnos and a friend of Hector. Anaxandra feels conflicted. She loves Troy but is loyal to Menelaus. She must find a way to save Pleisthenes. She wants to return the young prince to his father before Troy is destroyed.
Who Are the Main Characters?
- Anaxandra - She is the main character. She has flowing red hair. She is very devoted to her guardian goddess. She pretends to be Princess Callisto to survive. But this makes her a target for Queen Helen's dislike. She goes to Troy in place of Helen's daughter. She becomes the only one who protects Helen's baby son, Pleisthenes.
- Menelaus - He is the king of Sparta. He is also the brother of King Agamemnon. He loves his children very much. He cares for Anaxandra as if she were his own daughter. This makes Helen even more unhappy. He is very generous. He does not seem to be controlled by his wife's beauty.
- Helen - She is the queen of Sparta and Menelaus's wife. She is the daughter of Zeus. She can be cruel and cold-hearted. She is only happy when she is openly admired. She falls in love with Paris, a prince of Troy. She enjoys the idea of a war fought for her. She takes her baby son, Pleisthenes, to Troy. But she quickly forgets about him. Anaxandra becomes the baby's only protector.
- Paris - He is a prince of Troy. He is the younger brother of Prince Hector and Princess Cassandra. He is cruel and selfish. He only cares about himself or Helen. He does not hesitate to do dishonorable things if it helps him. Anaxandra does not trust him. She knows he wants to harm Helen's son, Pleisthenes.
- Hector - He is the oldest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. This means he is the next in line to be king. He is honorable and kind. He thinks more clearly than Paris.
- Andromache - She is married to Hector. She is a kind young woman from a noble family. She becomes friends with Anaxandra. She feels sorry for Cassandra and treats her kindly.
- Cassandra - She is a princess of Troy. People say she is as beautiful as Helen. She can see the future. But she is cursed. No one ever believes her predictions. Everyone in Troy thinks she is crazy. She is kept in a tower. She immediately knows Anaxandra is not Callisto. But she does not tell anyone. A friendship grows between them. Helen hates Cassandra because of her predictions. Helen thinks Cassandra only tries to ruin her glory.
