Module 8 The Lightning Thief

Citation:

Riordan, R. (2005). The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax Books.

Summary: Percy Jackson, a typical twelve year old sixth grader finds out he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon and must go on a quest to save the world.

Review:

“Starred Review. Grade 5-9–An adventure-quest with a hip edge. At first glance, Perseus Jackson seems like a loser (readers meet him at a boarding school for troubled youth), but he's really the son of Poseidon and a mortal woman. As he discovers his heritage, he also loses that mother and falls into mortal danger. The gods (still very active in the 21st-century world) are about to go to war over a lost thunderbolt, so Percy and sidekicks Grover (a young satyr) and Annabeth (daughter of Athena) set out to retrieve it. Many close calls and monster-attacks later, they enter Hades's realm (via L.A.). A virtuoso description of the Underworld is matched by a later account of Olympus (hovering 600 floors above Manhattan). There's lots of zippy review of Greek myth and legend, and characters like Medusa, Procrustes, Chiron, and the Eumenides get updates. Some of the Labors of Heracles or Odysseus's adventures are recycled, but nothing seems stale, and the breakneck pace keeps the action from being too predictable. Percy is an ADHD, wise-cracking, first-person narrator. Naturally, his real quest is for his own identity. Along the way, such topics as family, trust, war, the environment, dreams, and perceptions are raised. There is subtle social critique for sophisticated readers who can see it. Although the novel ends with a satisfying conclusion (and at least one surprise), it is clear that the story isn't over. The 12-year-old has matured and is ready for another quest, and the villain is at large. Readers will be eager to follow the young protagonist's next move” (Lothrop, n.d.).

Impression: I was really impressed with this book. It was very entertaining yet informative. I was never really into Greek mythology but this book renewed my interest. I have always been a fan of movies like Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts, but never really enjoyed reading Greek mythology. Rick Riordan has found a way to entertain as well as educate. I couldn’t wait to finish it so I could read the next book in the series.

Library setting: Have students pick one of the Greek mythology characters from the book, research them and write a short biography with pictures and/or drawings. Students will then present their reports to the class.


Lothrop, P. D. (n.d.). [Review of the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan]. Amazon. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/0786838655/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319063678&sr=1-1