The Trouble with the Two-Headed Hydra

Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters

by Karen Foxlee, Freda Chiu

Miss Mary-Kate Martin might be anxious, but she's not scared of monsters. Travelling the globe with her famous archaeologist mother, Mary-Kate helps solve legendary problems in this fun fantasy adventure suitable for fans of the Travelling Bookshop or the Magnolia Moon series.

Mary-Kate and her mother are visiting Galinios, an idyllic Greek Island filled with history and surrounded by the shimmering Aegean Sea. An ancient mosaic has been unearthed at the local sardine processing plant and Professor Martin must investigate, leaving Mary-Kate to enjoy a few days of sunshine and antiquity.

But a message asking for help changes everything. A wrecked boat and smashed jetty have recently disrupted life on this tranquil island and point to a monster-sized mystery. Could the local legend of the Two-Headed Hydra be more than a story? If so, what could make this historically serene sea creature so angry?

Armed with her glitter pens and strawberry-scented notebook, Miss Mary-Kate Martin is determined to find answers. She might be scared of heights, but there is no problem too big for her to solve.

The second mystery story in this delightful fantasy-adventure series from the award-winning and bestselling author of Lenny's Book of Everything and Dragon Skin , with lively line illustrations by Freda Chiu.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Animals

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Karen Foxlee is an Australian author who lives and writes in Queensland. Her young adult novels The Anatomy of Wings (UQP/Knopf/Atlantic) and The Midnight Dress (Knopf/UQP/Hot Key Books) have been published internationally to much acclaim. The Anatomy of Wings won the Commonwealth Writers Prize Best First Book 2008 (South Asia/Pacific), the Dobbie Award 2008, and a Parent’s Choice Gold Award in the U.S. The Midnight Dress was selected as an ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults title in 2014. Foxlee’s first middle grade novel Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy (Knopf / Hot Key Books) was published in January 2014 and to date has received several starred reviews.

Karen Foxlee was born in Mount Isa, Queensland in 1971. She has worked most of her adult life as a registered nurse, has a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in creative writing, and lives in Gympie, Australia.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book and this time we are meeting a Hydra and visit Greece! WHOO!


It is time for a new Mary-Kate book and I was so hyped. And well, I can tell you, I read this book in one go. It was just THAT good. Too much fun to stop reading.

In this one Mary-Kate’s mom has a new archaeological site to check out and this time we are going to Greece! One of the islands in Greece. I was 100% onboard. I still want to visit Greece one day. Plus, of course, I knew there would be a new mystery and a new mythical monster to meet! The whole mystery was so much fun because there were so many clues, so many culprits. Is it really the boss of the sardine-factory? Is the Hydra really destroying things? What is going on with the sea? Why are we finding blue beads? Plus, all the mythology around the Hydra + visiting the island was just so much fun, I really want to visit that library in real life! And see those mosaics not just in illustrations, but also in real. I just love mosaics! Believe me, you will never be bored with this book, there were so many fun twists and turns and clues clues and clues.

Of course, just as last time we see that Mary-Kate’s mental health is still not going well, she still has a lot of anxiety about things, loves that things match, has a collection of lucky things, and there are many other things. I felt for her because it definitely isn’t easy for her, but I also loved that despite everything she kept going, showed bravery and tried new things. Even if it was scary. Even if it meant using one of her lucky items. Even if it meant going way out of her comfort-zone. Like how despite it being scary she went down that mountain. Or went to the cave with the Hydra. I love that. I love that despite this overwhelming anxiety, this overwhelming need to have everything perfectly matched, she doesn’t let it stop her entirely.

And we also meet a new friend. Say hello to Nikos! Nikos is the grandson of the current Custodian of the Hydra (yes, there is a Custodian) and he is eager to help out not just the hydra, but also the sea. I love that he did guided tours and donated the money to a fund to save and help out the sea. And I loved LOVED how he was there for Mary-Kate. Not many boys his age would do what he did, but he was there for Mary-Kate. He didn’t laugh at her, he didn’t make fun of her anxiety, no he tried to help in many ways and I was just so happy with him. I loved seeing Mary-Kate and Nikos together, discovering clues, going through the island, find the Hydra, and more. Oh, and we cannot forget the adorable Zeus! The seagull. Yes. Really. There is an adorable seagull.

I love Mary-Kate’s mom. She is taking her daughter along with her, but also trusts her enough to let her do her own thing. Plus, she listens to her daughter. Her fears. Her anxiety. But also her stories and all she experiences.

The latter part of the book, when all the clues come together, all the hypothesises click, the Hydra location is found, and more things happen, was just amazing. I loved every bit of it and I love finally seeing the Hydra. I don’t think it is a spoiler. I knew from the start of the book we would see a Hydra. And I wish I could have been there in real with Mary-Kate and Nikos and see the Hydra for real. Oh man. I would love that!

And OMG that last chapter! So many revelations! So many things that are just clicking together and then the biggest one of all, what Mary-Kate wrote on that postcard! OMG! Now I definitely NEED the next book!

I just LOVE the illustrations in this one, they are fun, make the book even more exciting, and I love the style.

All in all, this was a wonderful new addition to the series and I cannot wait to see what is next for Mary-Kate and who she will meet next!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Katey Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series, and this second instalment was even better than the first.

Sweet, observant, anxious Mary-Kate and her archeologist mother are again called on to investigate some curious occurrences, this time in the Greek Islands.

Boats and piers have been destroyed, there’s curious myth about a two-headed hydra, a cunning business woman is getting rich selling sardines, and the colour red seems to be popping up everywhere. While her mother, the Prof, is uncovering a beautiful mosaic to determine its historical significance, Mary-Kate gets to work exploring the islands and talking to the locals to find out what’s really going on.

Mystery, adventure, mythology mix in a beautiful story about bravery, kindness, friendship, and environmentalism.

Mary-Kate is a wonderful protagonist who demonstrates bravery, thoughtfulness and compassion, while also providing great representation for anxiety. Karen Foxlee’s writing is clear and evocative. The pacing was exciting but not stressful… this is all round becoming one of my top recommendations for kids ages 6-10. Love it.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Enjoyed this one a little more, as I love hydras.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary-Kate wasn’t expecting another close encounter with the creature kind after her first investigation led her to the Woolington Wyrm. A peek at P.K. Mayberry’s A Brief Guide to Monsters and Monster Hunters may have told her otherwise.

The Rule of Monsters states that people who have met one monster are statistically much more likely to meet another.

The stats take Mary-Kate to the Greek Islands. While the Prof, her mother, is working on an archaeological dig at a sardine processing plant, Mary-Kate meets a potential new friend, Nikos, even if he does own bicycles that don’t match.

Mary-Kate soon learns that the sardines aren’t the only fishy thing about this island. Rumour has it that the legendary two headed hydra has been causing all sorts of trouble recently.

Together, Mary-Kate and Nikos explore the island. While they’re investigating, Mary-Kate has plenty of opportunities to face her fears.

Fortunately, she came prepared. She has her trusty red sparkly shoes, coordinating outfits, strawberry scented notebook, glitter pens, novelty torch, back up novelty torch and some other very important lucky items on hand.

Mary-Kate is the anxious child role model a lot of us needed when we were kids. She acknowledges her fears while working to overcome them. She asks for help when she needs it and can be specific because she knows what helps her.

Mary-Kate is an absolute sweetheart. I want to follow her and the Prof around the world as they track down elusive, but certainly not mythical, creatures.

‘There are all sorts of weird and wonderful things in the world.’

I loved Freda Chiu’s illustrations as much as I did in the first book. The characters are quirky and expressive and the monsters are wonderful. The details match the descriptions in the text, something that doesn’t always happen in children’s books. My favourite illustration in this book shows Granny in her zebra print dressing gown.



I’ve been keen to spend more time with Granny so I’m thrilled that she’s accompanying Mary-Kate on her next investigation.

Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com

[Teaching Little Fishies · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐉If the gorgeous cover isn’t enough to draw you in then the story definitely will! This is the second book in this series and it had me dreaming about being in sunny Greece! Even if the threat of the beastly Two-Headed Hydra was lingering in the air!

👧🏻We follow the adventures of Mary-Kate and Professor Martin as they visit the Greek Island of Galinios to uncover the mystery of the Two-Headed Hydra. Why is this seemingly mythical creature causing such havoc on this beautiful island?

🐉Mary-Kate is such a fun and adventurous character who has to overcome many challenges as she works alongside her new friend Nikos. This book is written in such a wonderful way that you feel right there alongside Mary-Kate as she faces her fears, using a range of strategies to overcome her emotions.

👧🏻I really enjoyed reading this book not only for the fun and engaging story, but for the way in which the author, Karen, has normalised the sensory needs of Mary-Kate. I believe it opens up a wonderful opportunity to explore these, and for those that can relate, an opportunity to connect to this character.

🐉This is a wonderful addition to any classroom library and I would recommend it for readers around 8 - 12 years old.

🧠Teaching Point:
DESCRIBING SETTINGS - This book is filled with beautiful description of a range of settings from the beautiful greek islands to a library with towering books! There are plenty of opportunities to use this as a mentor text in this area!

Reviews published on Goodreads, Booktopia and Amazon when possible.

[Thea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my new favourite series. Now I need red sparkly shoes.

More detailed review:

I absolutely adored this audio book, the narrator does such a good job, she narrated the first one and I assume she'll narrate the third one whenever that's out on audio. Mary-Kate is the anxious hero I would have loved as a kid. I talked about this series in my latest YouTube video as Mary-Kate has become one of my favourite new characters. She has great tricks for managing her anxiety and feels so relatable to me. There's a bit where her sparkly red shoes get wet and I was physically cringing at the description, unexpected wet feet is the easiest way to upset me. I was listening to the last 35 minutes of the book as I was driving and I was sobbing on the freeway. The emotions conveyed just really got to me. Nikos was a wonderful companion, his passion for the island, the environment and the hydra was really inspiring. I can see this mobilising young readers to care about their environment and maybe go looking for their very own local monsters. I really like that Mary-Kate isn't treated as lesser for her anxiety and her friends and family see her as the capable young character she is, the anxiety is just part of her, not who is she. I do wish I had flicked through a copy of the physical book because the illustrations I saw online looked charming. I also really like how the lucky items are featured, as someone who constantly carried talismans as a child and as an adult carries a smaller amount to minimise an overly heavy bag.

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Mary-Kate Martin and her professor of archaeology mother are back in the second book of the series after Mary-Kate’s adventures in The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm. which I reviewed last year.

This time Mary-Kate and her mother are off to the Greek island of Galinios where her mother’s expertise has been called upon when a tiled floor depicting a sea creature is unearthed whilst the local sardine factory was being expanded.

Whilst there Mary-Kate makes a new friend, Nikos. The two follow the clues to what the locals are saying is a two-headed hydra wreaking havoc on the island and causing lots of damage.

The Trouble with the Two-Headed Hydra is a children’s middle-grade story filled with excitement and adventure. The book has been set in a gorgeous location though what is not quite so nice is the mystical goings on that Mary-Kate needs to work out.

What I love about the series is that Mary-Kate isn’t your usual monster hunter, in fact, she would rather be home than out detecting. She is a nervous young girl who has certain things she needs to do to make sure that she is going to have a good day which includes making sure she has her glitter pens on her.

For young readers who like books that take them on a journey and keep them occupied with so much happening, this series is the one to choose. It also contains fab artwork within which adds to the story depth and enjoyment.

[Linda Fallows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, the second book in the Miss Mary-Kate Martin series, is another triumph. Mary-Kate Martin is a shy, anxious daughter of a missing father and an archaeologist mother. In this book, she tracks down the two headed hydra, which has been blamed for damage on the Greek island of Galinios. She and her new friend, Nikos, follow the clues to find out what has really been happening.
The way these books put a shy, anxious girl in the central role are wonderful. They show that shy, anxious people can also be intelligent and heroic. They do this without in any way “talking down” to the group of children who will read the books.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in this series! Mary-Kate is just as anxious as ever plus some new ones and she is so brave and works through things as they need to happen and change. Using her dad's chewing gum, using coins from the jar. She is way outside her comfort zone. I love the character Nikos! He is a delight and takes Mary-Kate exactly as she is and helps her through stuff as well. So enjoyable. I hope there are more books in this series.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book that really grabbed me, it was OK but just not one that did much for me, others may find it more stimulating.

[robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am obsessed with ancient greek mythology and i would die for mary kate and nikos