Book Review of The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
The Children’s Book Review
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
Written by Rick Riordan
Ages: 9+ | 377 Pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books | ISBN-13: 978-1368051477
What to Expect: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, and Mystery
Rick Riordan’s inspiration for The Lightning Thief (now also a major motion picture) began from stories based on Greek myths that he used to make up for his son, who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. Riordan had taught Greek mythology to middle school students so he could recall many of the myths to tell his son. When he ran out of myths to share, his son asked him to create new stories using the characters from the Greek myths. And so, Percy Jackson was born.
The Lightning Thief is the first captivating book from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. This novel follows Percy, a twelve-year-old boy with dyslexia and ADHD, as he navigates through a world of Greek gods and monsters. Through his journey, he discovers his true identity and learns the importance of loyalty and friendship.
Percy Jackson is about to get pulled into a dangerous, exhilarating scene where the action never subsides. When he goes on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and stands up for a friend who is being bullied, his life changes forever. He ends up on a perilous mission across the United States to prevent a major war between the gods—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—by catching a thief who has stolen Zeus’ thunderbolt. With the help of a demigod and a satyr, Percy must defeat many mythological monsters that will stop at nothing to keep him from his task.
From start to end, the whole story will have your heart racing, leaving you desperate for the next book. Exciting, gritty, and funny are just a few words that describe this fantastical action-adventure novel that combines the world as we know it with Greek Mythology. Written in a style that is easy to follow, with a clear and engaging plot that will appeal to kids and adults alike, the well-developed characters are relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them and become invested in their journey.
The Lightning Thief is an excellent read that is highly entertaining. It not only provides a thrilling adventure for readers but also teaches valuable life lessons that promote personal growth and self-discovery—highly recommended to anyone looking for a fun and insightful read.
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About the Author
Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.
For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.
While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children’s fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.
Today over 35 million copies of his Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus books are in print in the United States, and rights have been sold into more than 35 countries. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller.
Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons.
What to Read Next if You Love The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
- The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J. K. Rowling
- The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau
- Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
Bianca Schulze reviewed The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1. Discover more books like The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, and Mystery.
