The Lightening Thief
Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Book 1
By Rick Riordan
A New York Times Notable Book of 2005
A Child Magazine Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Once again, 12-year old Percy Jackson is on the verge of being expelled. Not that its his fault - trouble just seems to have a way of finding him. When his math teacher turns into a monster straight out of Greek myth, no one seems to believe him. In fact, Percy has a hard time believing it himself. Even so, no one can doubt that strange things have been happening. The weather is out of control and Percy has been catching strange glimpses of creatures that shouldn't exist.
When Percy finds himself chased by a Minotaur en route to his summer camp on Half-Blood Hill, he realizes that both the gods on Olympus and the creatures of myth are real. Not only are they real, they're angry. Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen and his prim suspect is Percy. Percy soon finds himself and two friends on a quest to return Zeus' master lightning bolt and prove his innocence. On the way Percy finds himself grappling with mythological creatures and struggling to come to terms with his father who abandoned he and his mother for Mount Olympus.
This book was a really fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed Percy and the other characters. It might help the reader to have some knowledge of Greek myth, though most references are explained in the text. There was plenty of action, though the plot was a bit campy. Nevertheless this is a must-have. It is the first of five (there is also a companion book The Demigod Files) and from what I've seen junior high libraries can't keep them on the shelves. The characters and story appeal to both girls and boys. My only complaint was that the book read a little "young," though I'm hoping that the text and plot will age along with Percy in the books that follow, much like the books in the Harry Potter series. I would recommend this for junior high readers (6-8), though I think high school students who are avid fantasy fans would love it as well.
Book Talk Hook
Percy communicates quite well on his own. For my book talk, I would read from the first page of the book.
Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood.
If you're reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life.
Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.
If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened.
But if you recognize yourself in these pages - if you feel something stirring inside - stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
This sounds like it would be a good book if you enjoy fantasy. I have never read Harry Potter or any books that are similar to Harry Potter but I know a lot of people who really enjoy them. I'm not much of a fantasy reader but I'm sure people who are would really like this series.
ReplyDeleteThis series sounds great and gives students who enjoyed Harry Potter a chance to go on adventures with someone new. I love your book talk hook. I agree that Percy communicates well to the audience.
ReplyDeleteI didn't start this series at the 7-12 library. It looked young, and I was afraid it wouldn't circulate. Our K-6 building has the whole series, and it is very popular. I may have to rethink and add the series. I've had some students as me for the books, and with the movie out, there is a renewed interest even from high school students.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another good book/series. It is popular with both boys and girls. They sound full of action and sounds like Percy is a good role model. This is another book I plan on reading.
ReplyDeleteWell, I actually picked this book to read first but saw that you had posted it early so I switched to another book. From what I read though, (the first few chapters) I agree that it does read a little young. That being said, I loved it!! I can see some very good correlations between this book and the Harry Potter series, and know for a fact that this book and the ones that follow it are only going to get more and more popular. I love how Percy speaks directly to the readers, and it's almost like you are getting a sneak peek into the story. I can't wait to finish it when this class is over and move on to the next ones as well.
ReplyDeleteI've read the first two. My husband just finished four and my daughter is working on it. I have mixed emotions about Percy and the series. For any Harry Potter fanatics, the series is a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing to have another modern fantasy series for young people to read and obsess about (besides the chic-centric Twilight series) but Percy's also a curse in that, in many ways, it's a rip off of Harry. Percy has many of Harry's characteristics and personality traits, particularly his overdeveloped sense of heroism and his need to save everyone. Annabeth is much like Hermione and Grover is very, very Ron (with a bit of Hagrid thrown in for flava). Heck, in PJ, Chiron (Dumbledore) even tells Percy (Harry) not to envoke the Titan Lord's (the Dark Lord's) name. Mr. D fills in for Snape, Clarisse is Draco, and instead of Trelawney's prediction for Harry, we have the Oracle's prediction for Percy.
ReplyDeleteBut don't mind me ... I am just an enormously nerdy Harry fan, so take my comments with a grain of salt. Whether or not it's dangerously similar to Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is good stuff and it's a relief to have something so fun onto which to turn our students, both guys and girls.
I like Erin's reaction to these series. Maybe it's a good series for the Next Generation and the fact that we have Harry Potter knowledge, we can at least relate to the the readers who are interested in the books.
ReplyDeleteErin, you are right on. Now I'm really going to read the rest of the titles, if only to see the comparisons. This series is no Harry Potter, but since the chance of a new installment is EXTREMELY unlikely, I'm trying to move on. ;)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the book and also noted many HP parallels (summer camp/Hogwarts), at the beginning of the books Percy unaware of his powers/Harry unaware of his powers etc. The Greek myth connection is great though.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this is one I'll read, mainly because of the parallels between this series and Harry Potter. It's silly, but if there are that many similarities I doubt I'll enjoy it. I even took a graduate level literature class on the HP novels, so I'm a little obsessed. However, I can see how younger readers would appreciate the similarities, and enjoy reading something familiar that they know they will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't Wright State have one of those for School Library Media students!!
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