The+Goddess+Test

(Followed by //Goddess Interrupted//)
=SUMMARY: =

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With a mother sick and knocking on Heaven's door, her last request is to move back to her childhood home. Kate Winters must adjust to her new home, and new life that she's introduced to by the mysterious Henry who claims to be the god of the Underworld and gives Kate the choice to be with him and become a goddess. If she accepts and passes Henry's tests, he promises to keep her mother alive.=====

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The story provides insight into the mythological world through the eyes of a teenagers experience. With reference and connections to chain restaurants (pizza hut, taco bell,etc.), witty language, and teen drama, reader's could relate to the characters and experiences of some of the characters throughout the story. Through all of the modern day references and jargon Carter creates and interesting spin on explaining Greek mythology and specifically the Underworld.=====

=//"As long as humanity exists there will always be love and war." (161) //=

death love (platonic/romance) power struggle bullying
 * __Topics for discussion in the book:__**

The Story of Persephone paralleled to the story of Henry and Kate. Here is some information on who Persephone is, and what the story really is with Hades. Who is Persephone? [] media type="youtube" key="ZIH5ShZxP_A" height="315" width="420"

Who is Hades? media type="youtube" key="SxhnJbqZx2A" height="315" width="420"

Eden has similarities to The Garden of Eden. Insight into the story of the Garden of Eden and it's connection to Greek Mythology __[]__

What/When is the Autumn Equinox? @http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/other/autumnal.html

__Possible Lesson Plan Ideas:__


 * Writing-**Students will write an alternate ending. How would you have ended the story? What if she had not been "duped"? What kind of feelings would you feel? What would you have done differently if you were Henry? What would you have done differently if you were Kate? How would things have turned out?


 * Re-enactment**-for an older set of students with ideal technological resources students would re-enact a scene from the book using details from what you know


 * Writing/Reading**-create your own characters-much like a SIMS game, or something similar, create what you envisioned as you read the story. At the end of the book each student will present at least 2 characters you have created (physical features and a blurb about who they are, not mentioned in the story--what is their history/backstory?)


 * Social Studies/Art-**make a collage of new and interesting things you come across for the book as you read. (interests, both as gods/goddesses and modern day teen interests)


 * Character Building-**(minilesson/teachable moment if reading parts at a time)-most adolescent females have seen, or heard of the movie mean girls. In the opening of the book we see a bit of bullying, or the "mean girl" cruel joke that Ava plays on Kate. For teachers, this portion of the book provides an awesome and vital teachable moment for an educator in these older grades.


 * Social Studies**-compare/contrast family trees. Using information, technology, and available resources put together a family tree as far as research allows, and the family tree of the gods/goddesses involved in the story (or what characters in Greek mythology you think you can compare to the storyline from your own interpretations (answers may vary))..