Dear Lightning Thief,
Sign me up for your next Capture the Flag game! Also, if you ever take visitors to Camp Half-Blood, I want to come. Maybe I could be a daughter of Athena, too??
With Love,
Hannah
P.S. Book Details
Author: Rick Riordan
Book Length: 375 pages
Book Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publication Date: March 2006
Awards: Young Readers’ Choice Award (2008), Books I Loved Best Yearly (BILBY) Awards for Older Readers (2011), South Carolina Book Award for Junior Book Award (2008), Grand Canyon Reader Award for Tween Book (2008), Nene Award (2008)Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (2008), Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award for Grades 6-8 (2008), Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee (2007), Sunshine State Young Readers Award for Grades 6-8 (2007), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice Award for Intermediate (2008), Iowa Teen Award (2009), Lincoln Award Nominee (2009), Oklahoma Sequoyah Award for YA (2008), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (2009)
Synopsis: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse – Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena – Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
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Rick Riordan has a gift to entertain every reader from children to adults. He has a gift of getting people excited about what he is writing. I was amazed by the talent to introduce mythology in an interesting way and make everyone want to be a part of the story. Personally, I would love to go visit Camp Half-Blood! Seriously, getting trained in sword fighting and learning Greek would be the best. And, do not get me started on an epic capture the flag game!
I absolutely love the start of this series. A pre-teen boy, with ADHD, who is labelled as a trouble child, is actually the son of a Greek god. There is actually a purpose for his quirks that so often get him in trouble and make him stand out. These quirks will help him in solving a mystery of who stole Zeus’ lightning bolt and fighting on behalf of the gods and humanity.
It is clear Riordan has spent a lot of time with middle school students. He knows how to keep readers involved and explain things (without feeling like we are getting lectured at). I love getting to experience and learn about things for the first time with Percy. He is such a relatable character with a lot of heart. He is sassy and stubborn, and countered by Annabeth Chase. Let’s talk about amazing female role models for girls and boys. Annabeth is unashamed of her brilliance and strength, although she is not without faults (mainly a bit of pride). The couple one another’s personalities perfectly, add in Grover (Percy’s best friend who is also a satyr), and an epic team is made.
The adventure across the country to the underworld, meeting gods and monsters from myths, and strong a strong cast of characters makes for the perfect afternoon. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, can easily be read in one sitting or picked up and put down. Each chapter encourages one to read on, yet ends nice enough where (if need be) it can be put down.
This is a wonderful series for families, children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. If you enjoy middle grade books, Greek mythology, sassy gods, and adventure, this is a great book for you. If you enjoyed the friendships of Harry Potter or the magic in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Percy Jackson is a series you should try.
To Books, With Love 