The Sea of Monsters: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rick Riordan's The Sea of Monsters is the second book in the Percy Jackson series. They made a movie of it, but the book is better (of course). Like the first book, The Lightning Thief, you'll find plenty of action in the way of monster skirmishes, but this time the fighting is more often on ships and islands teaming with mythological creatures. One monster spits acid, others fire dodgeballs and boulders, some monsters kidnap and threaten to eat people, Sirens use their powerful song and mental manipulation lure prey. Half-blood injuries are healed with ambrosia, while monsters die and turn to dust. A ship explodes and one character is thought dead and mourned. A bullying schoolmate calls kids "retards," "losers," and "freaks" and eventually gets punched in the face. There are many characters from Greek mythology included in the story, especially the ones you find in The Odyssey, but also Tantalus, the new camp director, who reminds readers of why he was cursed: because back in the day he fed his own children to the gods. Yuck. Expect lots of mentions of Coke products and references to how half-bloods came to be -- because the gods had/have lots of affairs with mortals. Also, expect some more great things from our favorite ADHD, dyslexic hero, Percy. He learns lessons about honoring friendships, even with kids who aren't considered cool, and sets aside rivalries to do what's right.
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What's the Story?
In THE SEA OF MONSTERS: PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, BOOK 2, Percy makes it to his last day of the school year and he's excited to go back to Camp Half-Blood the next day. Then everything goes wrong. Laistrygonians (man-eating giants) join the dodge ball game and the fight that ensues puts flaming holes in the gymnasium. His friend Annabeth arrives in time to whisk Percy and his school friend Tyson off to camp in a cab driven by the Fates. The creepy old ladies drive like maniacs through New York with their shared eyeball and dump them in the middle of a battle with fierce mechanical bulls. This is how Percy discovers that camp isn't the safe-haven it used to be. The enchanted tree protecting the boundaries has been poisoned and the monsters are pouring in. The only thing that can save the camp is a quest. And because the quest will lead them straight into the dreaded Sea of Monsters, Percy, son of the sea god, would be the perfect one for the job. So, of course, Clarisse, Ares' daughter and Percy's least-favorite demigod camper, is chosen to go instead.
Is It Any Good?
Young demigod heroes fight mythological creatures in this thrilling, fresh, and funny seafaring quest. It's full steam ahead in this sequel to The Lightning Thief, which will launch many more Percy Jackson sequels and spin-off series. The journey through monster-infested waters will remind the older classics fans of Odysseus' quest -- same monsters, Sirens, and man-hating sorceress -- but without all the pathos and 10 years of wandering. Instead of 10 years, Percy and Annabeth have mere days to save their friend Grover and return to camp with a certain magical object of lore. And then there's the added complication that they're banned from leaving camp at all -- this is Percy's rival Clarisse's quest, and crossing any child of Ares is always a bad idea. But when Percy gets a surprise visit from Hermes and some magical parting gifts, he knows there was no question he would be going.
While this story could have stuck to monster madness action, it has a heart, too. Percy has to accomplish something almost more difficult for a middle schooler than fighting a giant cyclops: staying loyal to someone uncool in the face of peer ridicule. Author Rick Riordan, a former middle school teacher, really gets the social monsters kids this age must deal with and how sometimes they have to make the wrong choices in order to learn. He also writes about Percy and Annabeth's friendship with a true understanding for the awkwardness of first crushes. After The Sea of Monsters, readers are sure to want more of both the wild mythical monsters and relatable characters. Luckily for them there's a lot more to come in the world of Percy Jackson.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Percy's relationship with Tyson in The Sea of Monsters. Why is it so hard for him to be friends with someone not considered cool? Why do half-blood campers laugh at him when he's with Tyson? How does Percy react at first? How does he feel about himself? How does he react after the quest? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do?
What is hubris? Annabeth says it's her "fatal flaw" after listening to the Siren song. Would you choose to do what Annabeth did and listen to the Sirens to know your own weaknesses? What would you do with the information if you did?
What do you think of the series so far? What have you learned about Greek mythology? Will you read more of this series? What about the other spin-off series? Why do you think there are so many Percy Jackson books out there? What do kids love about them?
Book Details
- Author: Rick Riordan
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Book Characters, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Middle School, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Ocean Creatures, Pirates
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Disney Publishing
- Publication date: August 1, 2006
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 12
- Number of pages: 279
- Last updated: April 12, 2019
Our Editors Recommend
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The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.
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Peter and the Starcatchers, Book 1
A swashbuckling high-seas adventure.
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Nick of Time
Riotous, violent adventure with classic virtues.
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Treasure Island
Boy and pirates hunt buried treasure in thrilling adventure.
For kids who love mythology and adventure
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