“Being a god isn't all rainbows and sunshine, you know. Sometimes it's thunderclouds and lightning bolts.”
— Zeus explaining the complexities of divine power to Pandora.
Archivist's Choice
Pandora Gets Jealous
Carolyn Hennesy (2007)
Genre
Fantasy / Children's / Young Adult
Reading Time
260 min
Key Themes
See below
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A curious 13-year-old unleashes ancient evils from a forbidden box for a school project, then must wrangle them all back before the gods' deadline.
Synopsis
Thirteen-year-old Pandora, or Pandy, is an ordinary girl until she finds a mysterious box in her aunt's antique shop. Intrigued by warnings never to open it, Pandy decides the box would make a perfect school project. During her presentation, the box accidentally springs open, unleashing evils like Jealousy, Lies, Greed, and Hatred upon the world. Pandy is immediately summoned to Mount Olympus, where Zeus and the Greek gods are furious. They give her an ultimatum: she has one year to recapture all the escaped evils and restore balance to humanity, or face severe consequences. With the god Hermes as her reluctant guide, Pandy journeys, confronting personified evils in modern settings, learning about their effects, and devising ways to lure them back into the box, all while racing against time and handling divine interference.
Reading time
260 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Humorous, Adventurous, Mythological, Whimsical
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy lighthearted fantasy adventures with a mythological twist, perfect for young readers.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer dark, complex fantasy or mature themes.
Plot Summary
The Dreaded Project and the Mysterious Box
Thirteen-year-old Pandora Atheneus Andromaeche Helena, or Pandy, is a normal girl in Athens, Greece, with an extraordinary family line – she is a descendant of the original Pandora. Pandy worries about her 'What I Did This Summer' project, wanting to impress her crush, Icarus, and avoid being outshone by her rival, Aliki. While looking through her attic, she finds a plain, dusty wooden box. Her grandmother, Thea, warns her strongly that the box is old, dangerous, and must never be opened. This strict rule, of course, makes Pandy instantly curious and convinces her it is the perfect, most unique item for her project, despite the warnings.
The Accidental Opening and the Release of Evils
Pandy brings the mysterious box to school for her presentation, carefully explaining its forbidden nature to her classmates, including Icarus and Aliki. During her presentation, she tries to show how securely it closes. However, in a moment of fumbled excitement and perhaps a bit of clumsiness, the latch unexpectedly opens. A foul, dark smoke billows out, with horrifying whispers and shrieks. Panic erupts in the classroom as the smoke disappears, leaving an unsettling stillness. Pandy realizes with dawning horror that she has accidentally opened the legendary Pandora's Box, releasing all the evils and miseries into the world, just as the ancient myths predicted.
Summoned to Mount Olympus
Immediately after the box opens, strange things begin happening across Athens and the world. Small disagreements turn into full arguments, jealousy becomes widespread, and general discord spreads. Pandy is quickly taken away, not by people, but by a divine summons. She finds herself transported to the majestic halls of Mount Olympus, standing before the formidable council of Olympian gods and goddesses. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Hestia are all there, their faces showing fury and frustration. Pandy is overwhelmed by their power and the seriousness of her mistake, realizing the true scale of what she has unleashed.
The Divine Ultimatum: A Year to Recapture Evils
Zeus, thundering with divine authority, confronts Pandy about her reckless act. He acknowledges her family connection and the prophecy about the box, but declares that she must fix her mistake. He orders that Pandy has exactly one year to travel the world, find, and recapture all the evils that escaped Pandora's Box. If she fails, there will be severe consequences, not just for Pandy, but potentially for all of humanity, as the unchecked evils would plunge the world into eternal chaos. Pandy, despite her fear, accepts the huge task, knowing she has no other choice.
Hermes, the Guide, and the First Evil: Jealousy
To help her, Hermes, the messenger god, is assigned as Pandy's reluctant guide and companion. He gives her a special locket that glows when an evil is near and a magical satchel to hold them once captured. Their first target is Jealousy, which has taken root in Athens. Pandy soon realizes that Jealousy is showing up strongly in her own life, especially between her and Aliki, and in the competitive spirit at school. She sees its harmful effects firsthand, watching how it twists friendships and fuels resentment. Her quest begins with a very personal challenge, forcing her to face the very emotion she often feels.
The Challenge of Lies and Deceit
Pandy and Hermes travel to Egypt, where the evil of Lies has taken hold, causing widespread mistrust and confusion. They encounter a market full of merchants selling false goods and people spreading rumors. Pandy struggles to tell truth from falsehood, realizing how easily Lies can manipulate perceptions and destroy faith. She learns that capturing Lies requires not just cleverness, but also a commitment to honesty and the ability to see through deception. This evil proves challenging as it is intangible and often hides behind convincing appearances, forcing Pandy to rely on her intuition and Hermes's cunning.
Encountering Greed in a Modern City
Their journey takes them to a modern, busy city, likely New York or London, where the evil of Greed is widespread. Pandy observes people obsessed with wealth, power, and material possessions, often harming others. She sees how Greed drives unethical business practices, fuels envy, and creates a gap between the rich and the poor. Capturing Greed involves understanding its appeal and the emptiness it ultimately brings. Pandy must find a way to appeal to people's better nature or expose the futility of their endless pursuit of more, a task made difficult by how common this evil is.
The Spreading of Hatred and Discord
As Pandy continues her quest, she encounters Hatred, one of the most destructive evils. She sees conflicts erupting between communities, individuals holding grudges, and general animosity poisoning relationships. Hatred is a particularly difficult evil to capture, as it often comes from deep-seated prejudices and fear. Pandy learns that fighting Hatred requires promoting understanding, empathy, and forgiveness. She must find ways to bridge divides and remind people of their shared humanity, a daunting task for a thirteen-year-old. This encounter deeply affects Pandy, making her realize the profound impact of her initial mistake.
The Return of Hope and the Final Evil
As the year ends, Pandy has successfully recaptured most of the evils. However, she discovers that one crucial element remained in the box: Hope. It was not an evil, but a mitigating force. The final evil she must confront is Despair, often closely linked to the absence of Hope. This realization changes her view on the box's true purpose. She understands that even with all the world's miseries, Hope is essential for humanity's resilience. Her final challenge is to reignite Hope in a world that has been deeply affected by the released evils, a task that requires her to inspire others.
The Redemption and the Future
With the evils recaptured and Hope understood, Pandy returns to Mount Olympus. She presents the magically refilled box to Zeus, having finished her difficult task. The gods acknowledge her success, and the world slowly begins to heal from the effects of the released evils, though some lasting effects remain, showing the enduring impact of human choices. Pandy, no longer just a normal girl, has grown significantly. She has learned responsibility, empathy, and the profound power of human emotions. She understands her connection to the original Pandora and accepts her role as a guardian of balance, forever changed by her extraordinary adventure.
Principal Figures
Pandora (Pandy) Atheneus Andromaeche Helena
The Protagonist
Pandy transforms from a self-absorbed, curious teenager into a responsible, empathetic hero who understands the profound impact of her actions.
Hermes
The Supporting
Hermes moves from a reluctant, sardonic guide to a more supportive and respectful companion.
Zeus
The Antagonist/Authority Figure
Zeus remains largely static as the authoritative figure, but his view of Pandy evolves from a reckless mortal to a capable agent of change.
Aliki
The Supporting
Aliki's role largely remains that of a rival, but her interactions allow Pandy to recognize and overcome her own jealous tendencies.
Icarus
The Supporting
Icarus's character remains consistent, serving as an external motivation for Pandy's early actions and reflections on self-worth.
Thea (Grandmother)
The Supporting
Thea maintains her role as a wise elder, her initial warnings proving prescient and guiding Pandy indirectly.
Hera
The Supporting
Hera remains a consistent figure of divine authority, observing Pandy's quest from Olympus.
Ares
The Mentioned
Ares is a static representation of the consequences of the released evils.
Themes & Insights
Responsibility and Consequences
This theme is central to Pandy's journey. Her initial act of opening the box, though accidental, starts a huge task of fixing her mistake. The story consistently shows that actions, even those from curiosity or carelessness, have far-reaching consequences. Pandy's quest is not just about recapturing evils; it is about accepting personal responsibility for the chaos she caused. This is clear from Zeus's command to her personal growth as she sees the global impact of her actions, such as the spread of Hatred and Greed, realizing the immense weight of her initial recklessness.
““With great power comes great responsibility,” Hermes muttered, though Pandy suspected he was just quoting some old mortal proverb.”
The Nature of Good and Evil
The book explores the complex nature of good and evil, not as abstract ideas, but as real forces that appear in human behavior. Pandy learns that evils like Jealousy, Lies, and Greed are not external monsters but come from within people and are often tied to human emotions and desires. The discovery that Hope was also in the box, not as an evil but as a balancing force, is crucial. It teaches Pandy that the world is not simply divided into good and bad, but that even when there is misery, hope can last, offering resilience and balance. This is especially clear when Pandy understands that Hope was always meant to remain, a light against Despair.
““The evils were always within humanity, Pandora. The box merely gave them a push,” Thea had once said, though Pandy only truly understood it after her quest.”
Curiosity and its Dangers
Pandy's initial motivation comes entirely from her strong curiosity about the forbidden box. This theme highlights both the appeal and the possible dangers of unchecked curiosity. While curiosity can lead to discovery and learning, in Pandy's case, it leads to a global disaster. The story is a cautionary tale about respecting boundaries and understanding the possible impact of one's actions before giving in to temptation. Her grandmother's strict warnings about the box directly show this theme, demonstrating that some mysteries are best left alone, or at least approached with extreme caution.
““Some things, Pandy, are best left untouched, no matter how much they gleam or whisper promises of wonder.””
Self-Discovery and Growth
Pandy changes significantly throughout her quest. Initially, she is a typical teenager focused on school projects, crushes, and rivals. The extraordinary circumstances force her to mature quickly. She learns empathy by seeing the effects of the evils on humanity, develops courage in facing dangerous situations, and gains self-awareness by recognizing her own flaws (like jealousy). Her journey is a coming-of-age story where she moves past her initial self-centeredness to become a more responsible, wise, and resilient person, able to understand the delicate balance of the world. Her ability to inspire Hope in others marks her ultimate growth.
““I wasn't just collecting evils anymore. I was learning what it meant to be human, and how much power we truly hold over ourselves and each other.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The MacGuffin (Pandora's Box)
The central object that drives the plot and unleashes conflict.
Pandora's Box serves as the primary MacGuffin in the story. It is the mysterious, forbidden object that Pandy discovers, and its accidental opening directly initiates the entire plot. The contents of the box – the evils and ultimately Hope – are what Pandy must interact with, collect, and understand. While its specific powers are the release and containment of abstract concepts, the box itself is the tangible focal point around which all the narrative action revolves, providing both the initial conflict and the ultimate goal for Pandy.
Divine Intervention
The direct involvement of gods in mortal affairs.
Divine intervention is a key plot device, especially through the Olympian gods. Zeus directly tasks Pandy with her quest, and Hermes acts as her divine guide. This device not only provides the supernatural element inherent in the genre but also raises the stakes significantly. The gods' involvement elevates Pandy's personal mistake into a cosmic crisis, emphasizing the profound connection between the divine and mortal realms and ensuring that Pandy's actions have universal consequences, requiring divine oversight and assistance for resolution.
The Prophecy
A predetermined event that shapes characters' destinies.
The existence of a prophecy surrounding Pandora's Box and its eventual opening by a descendant is a subtle yet crucial plot device. It explains why Zeus, despite his anger, gives Pandy a chance to rectify her mistake rather than simply punishing her. The prophecy lends a sense of destiny to Pandy's actions, suggesting that while her curiosity was the immediate cause, her role in this event was, to some extent, predetermined. This device adds depth to the narrative, linking Pandy to her ancient namesake and framing her quest as both a personal journey and a fulfillment of an ancient design.
Magical Artifacts (Locket and Satchel)
Tools with supernatural properties that aid the protagonist.
Hermes provides Pandy with two essential magical artifacts: a locket that glows in the presence of an evil and a magical satchel designed to safely contain the evils once captured. These items are crucial to the plot as they enable Pandy to actually perform her mission. The locket acts as a 'compass' to locate the abstract evils, while the satchel provides the means of their containment. Without these devices, Pandy's quest would be impossible, making them vital tools that facilitate her journey and demonstrate the gods' practical assistance.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Jealousy is a tricky thing. It can make you feel powerful, but it mostly just makes you feel alone.”
— Hera reflecting on the nature of her own emotions.
“Sometimes the biggest monsters aren't the ones with fangs and claws. Sometimes they're the ones inside your head.”
— Pandora realizing the internal struggle she faces.
“A true friend doesn't try to change you. A true friend helps you be the best version of yourself, even when you're being a total mess.”
— Icarus offering advice and support to Pandora.
“Even gods make mistakes. The important part is learning from them, not pretending they never happened.”
— Athena giving a wise perspective on imperfection.
“The greatest power isn't in what you can destroy, but in what you can create and protect.”
— Hades pondering the true nature of strength.
“It's hard to be brave when your knees are knocking and your stomach is doing flip-flops, but that's exactly when you need to be.”
— Pandora steeling herself for a difficult confrontation.
“Don't let what others think of you define who you are. Define yourself.”
— Aphrodite encouraging self-acceptance and confidence.
“Sometimes the quietest people have the loudest thoughts.”
— A brief observation about Hephaestus.
“The world is full of wonders, if only you bother to look beyond your own reflection.”
— Narcissus receiving a subtle lesson.
“It's not about being perfect. It's about trying your best, even when your best isn't perfect.”
— Apollo offering encouragement after a minor setback.
“Even the mightiest gods need a little help sometimes. There's no shame in asking for it.”
— Hermes advocating for collaboration.
“A true heart can see past the disguise, no matter how clever it is.”
— Ares making an astute observation.
“The most powerful magic isn't in spells or potions, but in believing in yourself.”
— Pandora's internal realization.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The story follows 13-year-old Pandora, or Pandy, who, in search of a unique school project, uncovers a mysterious box forbidden to be touched. Her accidental opening of this box unleashes all the world's evils, leading the Olympian gods to task her with recollecting them within a year.
About the author
Carolyn Hennesy is a prolific author known for her engaging and often whimsical children's and young adult fiction. Her "Pandora Jones" series, beginning with "Pandora Gets Jealous," is celebrated for its imaginative storytelling and relatable characters. Hennesy's work consistently taps into themes of friendship and adventure, earning her a dedicated readership in the middle-grade and YA literary world.
