The Lightning Thief

This book is brain candy. Rick’s writing style immediately pulled me into the story. First-person is hard to do right without going overboard, but Rick set the perfect balance of action and internal voice. It also helps that the relationship between Percy’s stepfather and mine was as close to identical as a fantasy novel can get.

And while I know it’s not the first to do it, this was the first middle-grade book I read where the main character was neurodivergent and dealing with a lot of the same issues that I did and that many of my students do… show more.

This is the first book that really got me into reading and mythology, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. I have learned so much about Greek mythology from it. I like the powers the campers have because of their godly parent. I love the adventure Percy and his friends go on, and every chapter has something new to see or learn.

I love the uniqueness of Percy’s situation and powers as one of the Big 3 and how that puts him on the path of a great prophecy. The camp is like an academy for the summer, teaching… show more.

Okay, yes, I’ll admit. As a grown adult, I reread the Percy Jackson series. I’d like to say it was because of the tv show but the truth is I just thoroughly enjoy the blast from my past.

Percy is an enjoyable little troublemaker. This book is a comfort read for me and I often find myself re-reading it.

My boys read these, and then I read them. The hero is a boy with dyslexia who never fits in and who discovers he can read Greek and is the son of a God.

In modern-day New York City, he battles ancient mythological creatures. Kids learn everything there is to know about mythology and then some while enjoying this engrossing and exciting story. We loved these books.

The Percy Jackson series reminded me of how incredibly fun Greek mythology was, and it widened my world in seeing how stories could be deeply inspired by ancient mythologies, but could also seamlessly relate to young readers.

The pace was fast, the dialogues were hilarious, and the adventure was satisfying. I especially love how many of the gods in the book remained mostly true to their personalities from the original myths, but they were slightly tweaked to fit modern taste.

For those of you that loved (and love) Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, is an action-packed tour de force.

Young Percy, a dyslexic teenager, discovers that he is a demigod and the son of Poseidon. Falsely accused of stealing Zeus’ thunderbolt, Percy must clear his name and avoid a war between the Olympian Gods that could decimate the mortal world.

Riordan leans on his extensive knowledge of Greek Mythology to create a fast-paced, engaging adventure laced with humor. He masterfully blends Greek Mythology with the modern world, creating an epic adventure that readers of all… show more.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a must-read for young readers or anyone young at heart who enjoys fantasy adventure books.

I love books like this one which are geared for young readers, but tend to appeal to adults as well. Before reading this book, I had zero interest in books covering the Greek mythological world. This five-book series takes you on an extraordinary journey through Greek mythology with Percy Jackson, who is a relatable and funny demigod. The writing is light-hearted, fast-paced, and humorous, making it a true page-turner.

Without jamming it down your throat, the series educates readers… show more.

Another family favorite when it was released, it purports to be an exciting contemporary fantasy novel (and it is). However, it is also very much a crime story. Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen and it is up to Percy Jackson and his friends to track it down. In a quasi-private detective assignment, Percy and his friends set out to solve the mystery and recover the bolt. And, like a true mystery, there are false suspects, twists, and surprises along the way.

I had to include this zany series because it is a definite favorite in our household. In fact, we read the entire first book without my kids even realizing that they were learning about Greek mythology. When we started to discuss what we learned, we were led into a whole new world of research and exploration. The entire family wanted to learn more and more about the fascinating gods and goddesses and the wild stories about them.

This is considered a young adult book as the characters are all teenagers, but I love the imagination that it took to think up a story using modern-day demigods. Rick Riordan does an excellent job incorporating ancient Greek mythology with modern-day living. Where else can you expect a minotaur to pick up a car and throw it at you? This book is an introduction to the thinking of the modern with the ancient. The storyline is easy to follow and it makes you remember the lessons you had in school about Zeus and Mt. Olympus. A younger person will relate… show more.