The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Book One, Percy Jackson Series. Disney-Hyperion

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Overview

The first book in the popular series by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, is a playful introduction to the world of the mestizo and the heroes of Greek mythology. Title hilarious chapter ("We have a zebra in Las Vegas"), full of action and exciting chapter and the great voice and intelligent writing characters, readers of all ages (but especially the older 10 to 13) you will find yourself in the world of Percy immersed, not in a position to put down the book.

History

Twelve years Percy Jackson was expelled from several schools. He is dyslexic, ADHD, and that's it. So the last thing you want to do, throw Yancy Academy. , During a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but something goes wrong when he and his best friend Grover, they are of the monster math teacher he turned to attack.

Percy manages to get out, but after the fight is terribly confusing and I think it has hallucinations. He returns to the Manhattan apartment of his mother, they think are expelled from school again. No mention everyone who believes, he had monsters in pursuit until Grover comes to your home and shows that he, Grover, actually - a satyr.

It turns out that Percy is a mestizo, the son of a Greek god, and are actually monsters after him and tried to kill him. The safest place is in the Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp on Long Iceland for the children of the gods, so his mother pushes her Percy and Grover. Although the journey is not monotonic (chased by a Minotaur), they will receive safe way to the camp.

Percy is introduced a new world of gods, magic, adventure and heroes. Despite its confusing turn of events, Percy enjoy what it has to offer the camp (shopping, sword fights, Capture the Flag Epic Games) new friends at camp - Annabeth, daughter of Athena; and Luke, son of Hermes.

Then two things happen. Percy's mother kidnapped and taken to the Underworld and reveals that someone stole the master bolt to Zeus. Percy is the prime suspect, since he is the son of Poseidon (one of the three major gods) and Zeus and Poseidon currently controversial. Zeus demanded screw are not supplied by the summer solstice, in 10 days. So Percy - with Grover and Annabeth - is sent on a quest to find the flash and return to Olympus (in the 600 floor of the Empire State Building) before that date.

The three embark on a quest that takes place in all kinds of odd addresses, to all kinds of adventures. There is an incident with the Furies, which experienced a blown-up bus, a train ride (with the help of a pink poodle) in St. Louis, and a battle at the head of the St. Louis Arch Percy translates fall from there in Mississippi and that some of his powers are half-breed.

Shortly after St. Louis, meets the trio with Ares, the god of war, which is confiscated and call his mantle of an amusement park. In return for the fulfillment of the Ares, which give them a backpack and a trip to Las Vegas. Once in Las Vegas, checked into the Lotus Hotel and Casino, which, to his great joy are all unlimited. They remain until Percy meets a conversation with a child, who think they are the 1970s and concludes that the casino is a time trap, and lost a week's time. Escape from the casino, the trio by taxi in Los Angeles, and enters the world (behind a record store) can be seen in the Hades.

Once the guards are avoided to the underworld, they are Percy's withdrawn into Hades, where they collide and require parent. Hades, requires in turn give the top of the dark (we did not know was missing) and Percy blame for the flight. As part of this change, Hades mentioned that the kingpin of Zeus the backpack Ares is given.

The trio used beads Percy by a water spirit given to escape the underworld, but the victim is that they leave him Percy's mother. Back on the beach, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, discovered that Ares has the top of the dark and is angry because Percy ruined his plan for the war among the gods. Ares and Percy fight, and as a result of the victory of Percy, Ares turns Hades Helmet. Hades then returns Percy's mother.

Percy, Annabeth and Grover to the camp, in the hope that things return to normal. On the last day, but Percy and Luke in the area of the surrounding jungle, Lucas, when a message Percy bite poisonous scorpion. Percy is incredulous: Lucas thought was a friend. It turns out that Lucas actually works for Kronos and was behind the theft of the master screw. Percy barely made it to the camp in time to save his life, and when it happens, Lucas disappeared.

My Recommendation

Although the plot seems unnecessarily complicated, it works as a whole in order to keep the reader hooked. There is a global story, which together contain all the small pieces (the search for Percy, and the beginning of a war, the Kronos spans), but in many ways it is the smaller side stories with lesser gods and myths (like Medusa Aunt M run Garden Gnome Emporium or Procrustes, who owns a mattress store) make fun story to read.

Riordan knows inside and out myths and know the best way it interesting for kids. It also has the advantage of using two children - a great hero Percy and a fascinating character - and girls - Annabeth is incredibly strong and intelligent heroine Lightning Thief provides a good start to a series of fun .. I pushes to 10 years to 13 , (Disney-Hyperion 2005 Hardcover 2006 Paperback ISBN 9780786838653 :.)

Author Rick Riordan

A former sixth-grade English and social studies teacher, Rick Riordan is currently the author of the bestselling Percy Jackson the Olympians series and The Heroes of Olympus, of some of the characters and scenarios of the Percy Jackson series and other series, the Kane Chronicles covers. He was also part of the series of 39 titles. Riordan is a strong supporter of the books, which are accessible and interesting for children to read with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. He is also the author of an award-winning mystery series for adults. Riordan lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two children. (Source: Website of Rick Riordan)

The Greek mythology resources their children's books Guide, Elizabeth Kennedy

Reading the Percy Jackson series likely to interest their children in Greek mythology, and I have some resources to recommend. The first book of Greek myths D'Aulaire, who was very popular in the time that you can remember from their youth, and their parents also share with you to remember. - The gods and goddesses of Olympus and Poseidon An introduction to Greek mythology, 12 Olympic athletes: In ancient history About.com website you will find a number of issues, including for the Greek gods, myths and legends.