Pheme the Gossip

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Grades 3-7; Genre - Mythology/Folklore; GRL S-T; AR pts. 5.0

As the goddess girl of rumor and gossip, Pheme prides herself on being "in the know" and having the most up-to-date info on anyone and everyone at Mount Olympus Academy.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. What part of speech is, “being caught red handed”? Idiom
2. Use this phrase in your own sentence. “His mom caught him red handed, reaching into the cookie jar.”

Chapter 2

1. Summarize this chapter. Pheme couldn’t make the red go away and stuck her hands in her pockets; she bumped into Athena and her friends; she ran outside and met the boy who stowed away on Hermes cart p.24

Chapter 3

1. Describe Pheme. One of 13 kids; has red hair; is a goddess; has a gift of spreading rumors; when she speaks, the words puff out of her mouth and float above her head; works in the office of the school; is the floor monitor for her floor; is always looking for gossip to spread; snoops in rooms to find gossip; wants to be chosen to write in the Scrollazine magazine p.40

Chapter 4

1. Would you trust Pheme to keep your secret? Why, or why not? Listen to your child’s answer

Chapter 5

1. Is Pheme being a good friend to Phaeton in this chapter? Why, or why not? No; she’s only helping him to help herself, selfish motives; he doesn’t want people to know who his father is and she’s telling everyone p.86

Chapter 6

1. Describe Athena’s attitude toward Pheme for reading her diary. She forgives her and won’t tell her dad p.115

Chapter 7

1. Summarize this chapter. Pheme saw Phaeton using Artemis’s chariot and couldn’t tell her because of the no gossip spell Athena put on her p.120

Chapter 8

1. How did Pheme manipulate the teacher to let her keep her notebook with her drawing? She lied and said it was part of her assignment; she incorporated it into her project p.153

Chapter 9

1. Why did Pheme decide she needed to tell Zeus about Phaeton? She was worried about Earth getting destroyed; she stopped being concerned for herself p.180

Chapter 10

1. How are Athena and Pheme showing signs of friendship? They are helping each other and watching out for each other p.193

Chapter 11

1. What gave Pheme courage to help Phaeton? Athena’s gratitude from the time Pheme saved her p.209
2. Do you have an experience you look back on that helps give you courage or strength? Explain. Listen to your child’s answer 

Chapter 12

1. Do you agree with Eros that gossip is necessary? Why, or why not? Good news is good, but gossip is not good; gossiping hurts people’s feelings and they don’t trust you anymore p.230

Chapter 13

1. How did Pheme show courage in this chapter? She told Zeus everything p.234

Epilogue 

1. Summarize this ending. Pheme was asked to be the writer for the gossip column p.251