The Curse of Cassandra is a mythological concept that refers to the ability to accurately predict the future, but never be believed or have the power to change the outcome. In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a princess of Troy and the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba. She was blessed by the god Apollo with the gift of prophecy, but when she rejected his romantic advances, he added a curse that no one would believe her predictions. Cassandra foresaw the fall of Troy and warned the Trojans about the Greeks hiding inside the Trojan horse during the Trojan War, but her warnings were dismissed and the city was ultimately destroyed. This curse highlights the tragic irony of a person possessing knowledge of future events, but being unable to alter the course of destiny or gain credibility from those around them. The Curse of Cassandra has transcended into modern literature and culture, referring to the frustration of having valuable insights or information that is ignored or disbelieved by others.
Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.
Aster, a boy, hasn t been able to shift, and he has an intense interest in witchcraft, but whenever he tries to learn, he s shunned and sent out to play or be with the other boys of his clan. The plot is compelling; issues of gender, identity, and fitting in with your family are explored but in a way that is accessible for younger audiences.
The Curse of Cassandra has transcended into modern literature and culture, referring to the frustration of having valuable insights or information that is ignored or disbelieved by others. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring or dismissing important warnings, as well as the limitations of human perception and understanding. This concept has been explored in various works of fiction, such as in Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," where the soothsayer warns Caesar about the ides of March but is ignored, leading to his assassination.
Review: The Witch Boy
On the surface, Witch Boy is a fantasy story about a reclusive family who practice magic. But below the surface, it’s a story of gender roles. Whether or not readers will dig that deep is entirely up to them. Whether or not they discuss it, again, is up to them. But young readers will have an exciting adventure story to enjoy. The Witch Boy By Molly Knox Ostertag.
Scholastic Graphix. 2018. ISBN 9781338089516
PBK, $12.99. 218pp.
Grades 4 and up In Aster’s clan, the girls practice witchcraft and the boys shapeshift. Aster, a boy, hasn’t been able to shift, and he has an intense interest in witchcraft, but whenever he tries to learn, he’s shunned and sent out to play or be with the other boys of his clan.
When a shapeshifting ceremony goes awry, and Aster’s cousin goes missing, Aster uses some of the witchcraft he’s picked up on to help find him. While his cousin is missing, Aster goes out walking and befriends Charlie, a young girl from a nonmagical family who has broken her leg. Aster feels comfortable with Charlie and is able to share his deepest thoughts and secrets with her, including his magical gifts. But when the demon monster reaches out to Aster, he will have to show his family that his true desire is witchcraft. Will they come to terms?
While the storytelling feels a bit rushed in the end, overall this is a really sweet and exciting story. The rich artwork and lush colors lay the groundwork for an eerie and magical setting. Readers will feel Aster’s discomfort and his out-of-sorts feeling with his drive to find a place he fits in. The strong part of this story is Charlie and her friendship with Aster. This is a solid choice for reading. Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews
SHARE:About Esther Keller
Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.
On the surface, Witch Boy is a fantasy story about a reclusive family who practice magic. But below the surface, it’s a story of gender roles. Whether or not readers will dig that deep is entirely up to them. Whether or not they discuss it, again, is up to them. But young readers will have an exciting adventure story to enjoy. The Witch Boy By Molly Knox Ostertag.
Scholastic Graphix. 2018. ISBN 9781338089516
PBK, $12.99. 218pp.
Grades 4 and up In Aster’s clan, the girls practice witchcraft and the boys shapeshift. Aster, a boy, hasn’t been able to shift, and he has an intense interest in witchcraft, but whenever he tries to learn, he’s shunned and sent out to play or be with the other boys of his clan.
It also manifests in the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," where a young boy falsely cries for help so many times that when he genuinely needs assistance, no one believes him. The Curse of Cassandra serves as a reminder to value and consider different perspectives, even if they seem unlikely or go against our preconceived notions. It warns against complacency and the dangers of dismissing important information or perspectives. In a world where fake news and misinformation are prevalent, the curse serves as a cautionary tale to critically evaluate information and remain open to different possibilities. Ultimately, the Curse of Cassandra encapsulates the frustration and tragedy of having foresight and understanding but being unable to make a difference or be heard. It highlights the human struggle for recognition and the consequences of disregarding important warnings or insights..
Reviews for "The Curse of Cassandra: From Mythology to Modern Interpretation"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Curse of Cassandra". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were not well-developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and didn't care what happened to them. The pacing was also really slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. Overall, it was a boring and forgettable read for me.
2. David - 1/5 - I'm sorry to say that "Curse of Cassandra" was nothing but a waste of my time. The writing was amateurish and full of clichés. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the descriptions were lackluster. The story itself lacked originality and seemed like a rehash of other supernatural thrillers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I really wanted to like "Curse of Cassandra" because the premise sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, and their actions often didn't make sense. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of chaotic action. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not read anything else from this author.
4. Michael - 3/5 - "Curse of Cassandra" had its moments, but it ultimately disappointed me. The plot had potential, but the execution was lacking. The writing style was awkward and took away from the overall reading experience. While there were some thrilling moments, they were overshadowed by the lack of character development and a weak resolution. I had high hopes for this book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
5. Anna - 2/5 - I found "Curse of Cassandra" to be a tedious read. The pacing was slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any clear direction. The characters were unlikable and had little to no redeeming qualities. The supposed twists and turns were predictable, and the ending was anticlimactic. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.