Review: Pandora’s Legacy
It’s been a while since Rick Riordan’s Lightning Thief hit the market and revolutionized how kids perceive Greek Mythology. And though my students today were practically in diapers when the “craze” hit, it really hasn’t died down. Readers are always asking me for “more like it”
Pandora’s Legacy
By Kara Leopard. Kelly & Nichole Matthews
Kaboom!. 2018. ISBN 978-1-68415-287-2
PBK, $9.99. unpagedpp.
Grades 3 and up
When Charlie, Janet and Trevor break an old jar on a family vacation, they unknowingly release the contents of Pandora’s box. They then learn that in their family there is a long line of protectors who are given the responsibility of capturing the monsters and putting them back in the box, before havoc is wrought on the world.
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The story is a mix of adventure, eeriness, suspense, and humor that makes for a refreshing read. The characters aren’t all that well-rounded, or novel, but with the constant action and hints of Greek mythological monsters and gods and goddesses, readers will surely want more.
The artwork does feel and look computer generated, but the colors are vibrant, adding a lot to the heightened action sequences. This title will do well with the middle grade crowd, especially those readers who like George O’Connors Olympian series and have ventured into Rick Riordan’s adventures.
Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews

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.
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