The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I took up this book as an investigation into a possible unit I'd like to do with my students on heroes based on an inquiry I found from EL Education. The book imagines a world in which the Greek Gods are still around -- just not in Greece. Riordan explains that they live where the heart of "Western" civilization lives, which, at this moment in time, is, in his mind, in the United States. As they always have, the Gods continue to cavort with humans, creating demigods, some of whom are destined to become heroes in the vein of Hercules. One of these is Percy Jackson, who, spoiler alert, is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea. His heritage, however, is unknown to Percy until he begins to be attacked by monsters ostensibly sent by the god of the underworld, Hades. No sooner does he find refuge in a summer camp for similar demigods than Percy is sent on a quest to resolve a spat between Poseidon and his brothers, Zeus and Hades.

I will say that this book lived up to its reputation as a page turner. It was pretty impossible to put it down. Though it can some times be a bit heavy handed, I also enjoyed for the most part the way Riordan wove Greek myths into a modern-day adventure. I'm not yet sure about its use in the classroom, though. The book is pretty much all plot -- I'm not sure there is much underlying the storyline that is ripe for discussion. But a good start to reading in 2020!