 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
- By Rick Riordan
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Modernized Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the premise of the story is that Greek gods have affairs with mortal women and the resulting children are demigods. You'll find fantasy violence including swordplay and monsters. Percy's mom is apparently killed in front of him and his stepfather, who drinks to excess, used to hit his mother. There's also a trip to the afterlife, ruled by Hades, with its entrance in Hollywood.
What's the story?
Percy Jackson, dyslexic and hotheaded, has been kicked out of yet another school. But stranger things are happening around him, and soon he finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, a refuge and training ground for children of the Greek gods, who are still around and causing trouble for humans. He discovers that his dyslexia is caused by his brain being hardwired for Greek, and his hotheadedness is because, well, he's a hero.
All too soon he discovers which god is his father, and that he is a pawn in a titanic battle between the gods that may ignite World War III. Accompanied by a daughter of Athena and a young Satyr, Percy is sent to retrieve Zeus' lightning bolt from Hades, who supposedly stole it. But things are even more complicated than he and the gods imagined, and there are dangerous plots afoot.
Is it any good?
Written from Percy's point of view in choppy, attitude-filled prose, there are two levels of fun in THE LIGHTING THIEF. One is the fast-paced quest of a young hero and his friends to save the world. The characters aren't emotionally involving, but nonetheless this part is exciting, suspenseful, and very satisfying. Children who don't know much mythology can still enjoy the breakneck adventure on its own.
For those who do know Greek myths, or those inspired to learn about them, there's another level of fun here -- laughing at the wicked ways the author has updated the gods and monsters for the 21st century. Ares is a cross between a Hell's Angel and a professional wrestler, a math teacher is a harpy in disguise, and demigods can communicate by IMing -- Iris messaging (you'll have to read it to get the details on that one). A fun read for anyone, and a great read-aloud for a class studying mythology.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the references to Greek gods and myths. Finding and identifying the references can be a fun parent/child game.
Issues such as urban sprawl and environmental destruction are also raised. Why are they so important to Grover and his kind especially?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Be prepared to discuss morals with your child.
My son wanted to read it in 3rd grade, but I read it first. I feel that there's too much content that isn't age appropriate until at least 5th grade. For instance: Gods having "affairs" with mortals. There are a lot of moral issues imbedded into this book that I think needs to be discussed after the child has read this book, so parents should be prepared to discuss. This may even be a great choice for a parent/child book club. Especially if you are a Christian parent - you'll want to be prepared to discuss the fantasy/mythology of the Greek Gods. I think my son will LOVE the book, but he won't have the chance to love it until he gets to 5th grade.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A fun mix of modern and myth...A Must-Read!
I recently saw I list of 13 books every kid should read before turning 13. THE LIGHTNING THIEF was high on that list.
The book tells the story of Perseus (Percy) Jackson, a kid who lives with his single mother and is unsure of his dad's identity. After a creepy math teacher transforms into a monster and tries to eat him, Percy's friend Grover (who's really a satyr) takes him to Camp Half-Blood, where Percy learns that the Greek Gods really do exist, and they still have children with mortals. That is what the camp is for. Percy is one of those children. His father is Posiedon, God of the Seas, and Percy has some control over water. But soon he must go on a quest with Grover and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, to take back Zeus's stolen lightning bolt and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
The book is funny and witty, effortlessly matching old mythology and tradition with modern culture in a way that makes the book engrossing and unpredictable. There is no sex, only talk of gods having affairs with mortals, and quite a bit of married gods having affairs with other gods. Violence is the biggest issue, whether it's slapstick or intense. Sword-fights, explosions, creepy monsters, ect. None of it's graphic and most is presented in a comical fashion.
Your kids will love this book and you will too. Highly recommended.
(P.S. Don't be worried that CommonSense doesn't have reviews for books 2 and 3. They're no worse than this one).
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
AMAZING BOOK!!!
I was amazed at how amuch i enjoyed this book. At first, it hought that this would be just another boring book that my teacher was forcing my classmates and i to read but as we went farther along in the book, it became more exciting. I was constantly wanting to read that book but i didnt have a copy of it. I was in tears at the end of the book not because the ending was sad or depressing, just simply because the book was over. I would reccomend thiis to all children ages 11+ there was just a little bit of violence but it was because Percy Jackson ( manin character) had to protect himself from the many monster that dared to attack him. I hope that you,the person reading my review, will read the book and the whole series if you already haven't. Thank you for taking the time to go through this legnthy review and i hope you get to enjoy this book as I did. :)
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Perfect for all ages!!! Best book I have ever read!
BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! And I am 13!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I have some concerns that the concept of faithfulness in marriage and the family unit are not values espoused here, however I did enjoy the book and think, given the background of having read it myself, my son will enjoy the action and we can discuss the worldly concepts and how they differ from our Christian values and the subsequent consequences that come from this lack of family values.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
!st person narrative gives the books an unpleasant tone: kids in a world of their own making, adults virtually absent. Violence replaces real conflict in too many places.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great book
I love the book series. It's nice to see how Percy and his friends grow up and have diffrent crazy experiances. A must-read for anyone who enjoys Harry Potter
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Perfect Family Book: Not for Young Children
I really enjoyed this series, one of my all-time favorites. The Lightning Thief encouraged me to learn more about Greek mythology, as I became very interested in it after reading the book. Many children can relate to Percy Jackson, who has ADHD and dyslexia. However, while he thought these were problems, in the demigod world, these learning disabilities are actually his greatest gifts. ADHD, as Annabeth says "are your battlefield reflexes. They will keep you alive in a fight." And, Percy's dyslexia means his brain is "hard-wired for Ancient Greek." This book includes violence, but it's not too bad, and not gory. Peopl 9 and up will all enjoy traveling to this epid, magnificent world within our world that Mr. Riordan has created from a bedtime story, with many laughs along the way.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
June 28, 2010
AGE
not innapropriate, just hard to read, best for experienced readers
its a good book. it might be a little hard for kids to read if their 9 or maybe 10. its not very innapropriate either.yes, there IS fantasy violence but its not very realistic, mostly heroes killing monsters with swords and knives. another good thing is so far they havent made a bunch of junk like percy jackson legoes, action figures, videogames(except one) or any lame miniseries on TV
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
April 14, 2010
AGE
I love it!
I read this book when I was 7 and I couldn't stop! Once I was done, I begged my mom to get the rest of the series.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Rick Riordan |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | September 11, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 377 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.95 |
| Paperback price: | $7.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
Review It
Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
vote now
Will you read The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1?
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
