Great series of books. I'm a sixth grade teacher and enjoy reading this to my class. The book takes Greek mythology and brings it to life with real-life sounding main characters. The main character, Percy, has real issues to deal with as he learns to be a hero. My students can relate to the characters and the author uses age appropriate language. The best part is the message that an average kid with problems can overcome obstacles and achieve great things.
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1
(2005, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Rick Riordan)Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it's educational |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Average Joe learns to become a hero...
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Brilliant Idea but Terrible Author
While I found the story and idea of demi-god children to be fascinating, the writing itself left something to be desired. The author wrote the character's parts without emotion and they often said lines that made me want to weep with grief. They viewed every event through the eyes of an ignorant child and even the most dramatic segments were unfulfilling in the bland way the author described them. However, I managed to finish the book simply because I liked the idea of the story. I only wish a better author had chosen to narrate the novel.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
that title has intresting meaning on the front of greek stuff
i like greek stuff its kinda cool specialy gods and things in that catorgory
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Awesome!!!
I love this book! It has tons of action and the characters are just great. I love the Greek Myths and this story has great recreations of them all. Before I read this book, I barely knew anything about Greek myths actually. I probably cpouldn't even tell you what Zues was the god of. I know a lot more about greek myths now. I love this book! READ IT!!!
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Great Fun and Very Clever Book!
Our 10 year old daughter absolutely loved this book! She couldn't put it down, and immediately read the 2nd and 3rd books. I read it, too, and was thoroughly entertained. These books are very funny, and the way the author reinterprets the Greek gods and mythical creatures is so clever. The best part is, after reading this book, our daughter went to the library and checked out books about the Greek myths, and is now completely fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology! I highly recommend this book for boys and girls, age 9 and up.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
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).
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Laugh-out-loud funny!
A wonderful book for older elementary students through adults. The audio books are excellent, as well (great narrator).
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
best book in some time
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
pretty good
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
Ot is a book for years 8-13.There was a littel of violence.Just a smitch.
I liked it because it shows that a little problem can cause a huge camotion. Its about the Gods. Someone takes Zeus's bolt, so everyon thinks it Hades, but it was Ares that took it.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
EXCELLENT READ
As a fairly conservative christian parent I was a bit concerned with this book before I read it. I must say this book is great for the 5th Grader+ and some of us adults as well. My son(age 11 6th grade) began reading this book a few days ago and is almost done (I am reading along side of him...he's winning right now). He is wanting to do reaseach on Greek Mythology and absolutely loves the book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone especially if they are doing a unit on Mythology. This books makes it fun.
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Percy's first
All I can say about this book is AMAZING! This is my favorite book I've ever seen! Buy it for your kids.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Perfect for all ages!!!!!!!!!!!
Very good! A perfect book club pick! It has some violence, But a very good family message and should be read by all People that have an intrest in greek mythology!
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Perfect for teenagers and above, iffy for tweens
I personally loved the book. It had it's suspense and it's dangers. This book doesn't encourage children to try the stunts. It does encourage children to read on because they think it is fiction, which I think we can relay on our children to think it is true but to really know that it is not. If your child thinks that this book is true then you should talk to your child and let them know it is not. Fiction is the life of children, but they need to know not to take it over the top.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Cool
Good, haven't finished it all. Gabe (Percys stepfather) drinks and smokes everytime he is seen in the book. It is pretty violent in parts but not really. If you are under 10 or maybe 9 (if you are good reader you might be able to read it at 9) you might have an adult read to because hard to understand
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Awesome book!
Amazing book. The writer did a great job with tying greek mythology into the 21st century. The characters totally jump off the page. Kids will learn a lot and be entertained at the same time.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
loved it
i really liked this book i love greek myths so this book really cought me
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
AWESOME
On the bad side: there is incredibly intense violence, and Percy's father drinks, smokes, and gambles. On the good side: Percy's mom, friends and teachers are protecting him.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
a little too obvious on some parts, but still great :) somewhat unrealistic.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I loved this book! I can't wait to read the rest of them!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Perfect!
I love this book. I've read books 1-5. This author should write more.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
g
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
I Have Read the Whole Series !!!!
It`s my favorite book series and it really felt like I was there with Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, Chiron, and all the other characters.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
I have read the whole series!!!
I have read the whole Percy Jackson series! It is such an awesome series! I can't wait until the movie comes out in Novemberish! This is a must read even though it is mainly for boys. I am a girl and I loved it! I love Annabeth and I can't wait until the 6th book!
- I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
i LOVE this!
It's so funny! It's well written too. It's such a good book even the chapter titals make me laugh out loud! There is no concern for parents in young children reading this.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
i just started reading it
its a cool but wierd its a good book as far as i read
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Funny and Creative
The book is funny with supense too. Even with a little violence, it is a great book. I am always wanting to read the next book in the series. The chapters themselves are funny: "I accidently vaprized my Pre-Aljabra teacher." A great series for kids who want to learn about the gods.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Great lead to a great series
I absolutely loved the book!!! It is relevant to kids 8 and up; for kids who get scared more easily you probably want to wait a year or so before having them read it. This is not a very good book to read to a child; you want to wait 'til they can read it themselves.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Really Really Funny
The main character is a crack-up. =) The chapter titles themselves made me laugh, and I like the story.
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
A FAV of all Greek Myth lovers and Harry P lovers!
This book is awesome. If you love comedy and adventure, you will love this. It will make you become a Greek Myth addict. If you already are a Greek Myth addict, you will LOVE this Book!
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
THIS BOOK IS SO BREATH TAKING I THOUGHT I WAS THERE
YOU'LL BE SO AMAZED BECAUSE JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT COULD'NT GET ANYBETTER BAMMM_THERE IT IS
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
Best book since Hp
i agree with anyonmus because this book is awesome and i reallly reallly really really really really liked it
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
One of the best fantasy books since HP.
I had just about lost my faith in fantasy books. They were all trying to be the next Harry Potter. But then I came across this book. At the bare core, it is basically the same story as HP. But it is so different and original at the same time. Any audience can enjoy this great book, but i think you will get alot more out of the book if you read a little Greek Mythology first.
