Archive for the ‘middle grade fiction’ Category

I’m probably one of the last people on board, but I’ve finally hopped on the Percy Jackson bandwagon and begun Rick Riordan’s awesome series of books. I’ve just finished the first book, The Lightning Thief, and am ready for more!

For those not in the know, Percy Jackson is a sixth grader with unique abilities and unique parentage. His dad is Poseidon, god of the sea, one of the big 3 gods of Mount Olympus, who, by the way, are very real and very much still around.

After being attacked by a variety of monsters straight out of mythology, Percy finds himself at Camp Halfblood, a safe haven/training camp for the children of the gods like himself.

At the camp, Percy discovers his heritage, while also learning that his dad was currently in a dispute, to put it lightly, with Zeus, lord of the sky, over a particularly important possession of Zeus’ that was discovered missing.

Percy finds himself in the midst of this problem as Zeus accuses him of being the thief. And with the threat of the worst war in human history looming (should Poseidon and Zeus begin to brawl), Percy is sent on a quest to the realm of Hades, lord of the underworld, to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt.

This is a great beginning to what I expect will be an excellent and addicting series (and hey, I don’t have to wait to read them all). Riordan has Percy face many challenges, but physical and emotional. The dynamics of the relationships in this book are complex and growing. I can’t wait to read more on Percy’s developing relationships with his friends Annabeth and Grover, the satyr.

This book is a great read for all ages, even younger readers. The story is quick, funny, suspenseful, and entertaining. I can’t wait to pick up the next book!

Other Recommended Reads: For another book that deals with children of the gods, check out Tera Lynn Child’s hilarious Oh. My. Gods. and the upcoming sequel, Goddess Boot Camp. (Check out Nisha Sharma’s interview with Tera Lynn Child’s!)