The Plot
Widely regarded as America's version of the Harry Potter series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows Perseus Jackson, son of the sea god Poseidon, as he grows from a misfit preteen into a a true demigod. Titles in order are:
The Lightning Thief
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Last Olympian
The Review
US teens and tweens will have an easy time relating to the main character due to his dyslexia, ADHD, and single-parent family. The books are also shorter and less complex than their British counterparts, which is another selling point for kids who'd rather watch tv than read. Each book encompasses a short amount of time - usually only a few weeks - and characters bounce from fight scene to fight scene.
The only complicated thing about the books is, of course, the messiness of Greek mythology. The scary-looking names of gods, monsters, and places can be a little intimidating. Riordan does his best to try and clue you in about the mythology, though. His depictions of the gods are funny and memorable. (Who doesn't love that the god of war looks like someone from a really evil biker gang?) Percy's first-hand narration is believable and full of irony. Overall, the series is a fun ride. Definitely worth the time.
The Details
- Age Range: 10 - 14 years
- Grade Level: 5 and up
- Series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- Hardcover: 1744 pages
- Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (May 25, 2010 - the first book was published in 2005)
- ISBN-10: 142314189X (for the boxed set)
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