The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy

Critically acclaimed author Corey Ann Haydu crafts a spellbinding tale about two of today’s earthly descendants of Greek gods, nymphs, and muses as they’re faced with a decision that will change the course of their lives forever. This stunning middle grade novel displays the powerful influence of myths, magic, and two friends both bound and separated by two worlds. 

If you could choose to be a god forever, would you do it?

Every winter solstice, today’s earthly descendants of Greek gods, nymphs, and muses must visit Mount Olympus to preserve their near-god status. Until Dorothy’s mother refuses to go, sealing her fate and dying a human death shortly after. In retaliation, the gods release an ultimatum: return to the heavens as gods or live as humans on earth. Everyone must now make a choice. 

Dorothy is already at the bottom of the godly chain as the descendant of the infamous Pandora. Without her mother, the rest of Dorothy’s world becomes quieter, stiller—and her grief threatens to consume her.

Apple, on the other hand, is the beloved descendant of Zeus and Hera. She is the most popular girl in school and knows she must maintain a perfect facade or risk ruining the family name.

The two girls couldn’t be more different, but their mothers were best friends, and now they finally grow closer, too. Yet as the solstice nears, Apple’s fear of losing Dorothy causes her to make a choice for them that changes everything—and the consequences are great. Will Apple and Dorothy be able to fix their friendship? Will they even choose the same path?

Olympus or earth?

Corey Ann Haydu is the author of The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy, Eventown, Rules for Stealing Stars, One Jar of Magic, The Someday Suitcase, and the Hand-Me-Down-Magic chapter book series as well as six acclaimed books for teens. Currently she is a proud faculty member of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in writing for children program. Corey grew up in the Boston area, earned her MFA at the New School, and now lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughters.