Friday, February 5, 2010

review: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

genre: middle-grade fiction

Okay, okay. I get it now. I now see why people love Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

It's not just that it's a fast-paced story. It's not just that you're learning all about the Greek Gods in a really accessible way. It's not just that you drop into an alternate reality where the Gods are among us and things aren't really what they seem. For me, it was Percy. I love a character who has something huge and special to learn about himself (a la Harry Potter).

Percy Jackson has been seeing "weird" things his whole life, but on a field trip during the 6th grade, things go a bit over the top and suddenly he begins questioning his sanity. His crazy teacher, Mrs. Dodd's? Those knitting ladies on the side of the road? For a while, he has more answers than questions, until even his mother recognizes that it is time for Percy to learn the truth.

The truth that's been kept from Percy will change his life and put him in the face of dangers he's only read about in mythology books. And we're lucky enough to be along for the ride.

It's great middle-grade fiction, engaging and while sometimes it felt a bit cheesy to me, my 9 year old daughter that I read it aloud to, ate all that cheese right up, which I guess is just how it should be. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

5 comments:

bermudaonion said...

My son's a 22 year old college senior and listened to this book on his way home for Christmas break and just loved it!

morninglight mama said...

I haven't read this, but JAM and hubby both liked it. The previews for the upcoming movie make me laugh, so I know I would enjoy the book. Oh, too many books, not enough time!!

Holly said...

Madi has been asking about this book for a while now. And now I have an answer for her: yes, let's get it!!

lovejoy said...

I've heard about this book, so I appreciate your review. Maybe I'll read it with my 9 year old too!

Melissa said...

Obviously something's wrong with my feed reader, if I'm just getting to this now... but... IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME! What have I been saying for *years*?? That you and Sheely would really like it?? Yeah???

Nice to know I was right. ;-) (Now go and read the rest.

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