Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

Name: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
Item: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
Rating: 5
Author: Carrie R. Wheadon

Book review by

Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

(i)

Huge gift book of Percy-narrated Greek myths is tons of fun.

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Popular with kidsParents recommend

Parents say

age 13+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 18 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

After an introduction to how the Greek myths describe creation, readers meet the Titans, learn how they were defeated by the Olympians, and get profiles of the 12 major Greek gods and their various exploits, conquests, and origin stories. Readers also learn a number of word origins -- such as "volcano" coming from "vulcanus" -- and plenty of tidbits such as why Greeks and Romans wore laurel wreaths on their heads. Greek cities and islands are mentioned frequently. Although there's no map, there is a list of illustrations and a decent index at the end.

Positive Messages

Gods and humans can be corrupt. Revenge isn't always sweet. Don't judge by appearances. Be humble and thankful for what you have (those who are boastful and don't honor the gods may get horrible punishment).

Positive Role Models & Representations

Although the Olympians pose as protectors of whole cities and are helpful in childbirth, hunting, harvesting, and all aspects of human life, they're also violent, vengeful, thieving, jealous, and really big cheaters on their godly spouses.

Violence

Gods are pretty bloodthirsty. They swallow their own children (who pop out eventually as fully formed gods), tear mortals and other gods apart (such as when Zeus gets his tendons ripped out), torture those who wrong them with outrageous eternal punishments (for starters, poor Prometheus is chained to a rock while an eagle pecks at his liver every day), turn mortals into animals or plants, get mortals to go crazy and kill their own families, and stalk mortals they want to romance (there's one mention of a sexual assault). Percy always gives a warning when a particular myth gets gory.

Sex

Since there are so many origin stories included here, readers hear about the gods' many exploits. They cheat on their spouses all the time. Percy doesn't give a lot of details, handling the rendezvous with phrases such as "get cuddly with" and "extremely naughty." Also, in the early days, brother and sister gods married; Percy prepares readers for that. There's some nonsexual nakedness mentioned; those who see Artemis bathing don't live to tell the tale.

Language

Consumerism

Quick mentions such as Red Bull, KFC, Facebook, Tumblr, and G.I. Joe.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The chapter on Bacchus gets a big, somewhat silly Percy-style disclaimer about how kids should wait until they're at least 40 to drink and how they wouldn't like the hangover anyway. After that there's lots of talk about Bacchus' drunken parties and how wine was actually beneficial back then because it helped kill bacteria in bad drinking water. Gods get drunk drinking lots of nectar, and there's a mention of poppies/opium growing near the Lethe river (with another quick mention that drugs are bad).

What parents need to know

Parents need to know Percy Jackson's Greek Gods is a hefty gift-size volume that profiles the 12 major Greek gods, as narrated by Percy Jackson from the bestselling series. It helps a little to read the Percy Jackson books first. Then readers will instantly connect with the narrator. They'll know why Percy prefers some gods over others and will get his sometimes sardonic, sometimes goofy sense of humor. Percy's wit helps smooth things over when the content gets more mature. Gods can behave very badly; they swallow their own children (who pop out eventually as fully formed gods), tear mortals and other gods apart (such as when Zeus gets his tendons ripped out), torture those who wrong them with outrageous eternal punishments (for starters, poor Prometheus is chained to a rock while an eagle pecks at his liver every day), get mortals to go crazy and kill their own families, and stalk mortals they want to romance (there's one mention of a sexual assault). They also cheat on their godly spouses a lot. Percy covers their exploits with phrases such as "get cuddly with" and "extremely naughty." With the chapter on Bacchus, the wine god, comes a humorous disclaimer about how kids should wait until they're 40 before they drink -- they won't like the hangovers. Besides providing a thorough study of the Greek myths, there are plenty of educational tidbits sprinkled throughout about word origins, why ancient Greeks and Romans wore laurel wreaths on their heads, and much more.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Parent of a 8 year old Written bychademe94 September 16, 2014

age 12+

Good book, but it's still Greek mythology

Thanks to Rick Riordan and his Percy Jackson books, my kids have developed a great interest in Greek mythology. So they were very excited to hear about this bo... Continue reading

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Adult Written byunknown65917 January 24, 2015

age 18+

Overall a good book. But too much drugs and sex, as well as violence. Only recommended for teens and young adults.

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Kid, 11 years old January 5, 2015

age 10+

Super Fun, but too much Sex

Really fun, sarcastic and educational! But some parts kids under 9 or 10 wouldn't understand. Also, a lot of scenes where a god kidnaps a goddess in order... Continue reading

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Kid, 11 years old November 14, 2014

age 11+

Fun

Reading in Percy's point of view again is exciting. It's also a great way to educate kids; Percy is a funny character, so being educated is fun. Peopl... Continue reading

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What's the story?

After exploring how the Greeks thought the world began in a chapter entitled "The Beginning and Stuff," the Titans appear, followed by the Olympians, who rage a battle royale for dominance. Then each of the 12 major Greek gods gets his or her own chapter. Percy refuses to start with Zeus, claiming he has a big enough ego already, so he goes with the order in which the gods were born. Each chapter includes full-color illustrations and Percy's take on each god's origins, what they're most known for, and stories of them interacting with mortals, looking for love, and smiting those who wronged them.

Is it any good?

PERCY JACKSON'S GREEK GODS is thorough, easy to read, and high on entertainment value. Readers get to enjoy Percy's sardonic and somewhat goofy voice, and, as with all Percy books, the humor in the chapter titles alone draws you in. "Hermes Goes to Juvie" and "Ares, the Manly Man's Manly Man" are two greats.

The illustrations by John Rocco also are fabulous, especially the full-page ones in the gift-book size. This is not a book you get on iTunes or in paperback; spring for the hardcover.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about what they learned and what they knew before, either by reading the Percy Jackson series or other books.
Big fans of the Percy books may even remember where they heard certain myths before. In which Percy book does Arachne show up? What about Nyx? The Fates?
What do you think about Percy Jackson as a narrator? How does he give some stories a modern twist? Is the book easier to read that way?