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| The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan |
"If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself."
-Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief
Summary: The Lightning Thief has all the elements of a great adventure story: the underdog as the hero, faithful sidekicks, a loving mother and a mean and nasty stepfather, a death defying road trip and a mystery to solve. All these elements are set in the present with the additional characters of the immortals from Greek mythology. The presence of classical Greek mythology is woven into a modern setting to create an engaging story of a 21st century teenage boy taking on the odyssey of his heritage.
Themes: Greek Mythology, Identity, Friendship, Courage, Disabilities
Grade Level: 4th to 7th grades
Possible Student Reaction: The age range of the book fits directly into the age that many students become fascinated with Greek gods and goddesses. They get to feed their interest and have fun doing it. Also the idea that Percy’s disability, ADHD, makes him better prepared for life as a “half-blood” is inspirational to every kid that believes they have a weakness that holds them back. Percy uses his disability to succeed and so can they. Percy’s character along with his friends and their adventures make kids excited. So excited that they want to read more, and they can. Rick Riordan has written four more books in the Percy Jackson series along with two additional series, so kids can keep on reading.
Analysis: Students will eventually encounter the classic cannon of Greek mythology, whether in high school or college and having a positive introduction to the myths can only set the interest level high for future study. Because Riordan has written his story about a young boy that is not perfect and is not your typical hero, it welcomes every reader into imagining they could be Percy and that is a powerful hook for the young reader. Throughout the book the interest level is continuing kept high as Percy and his friends move from one battle to the next always with a narrow exciting escape. These small adventures that lead to a exciting conclusion makes this book good for struggling readers. The Greek names may be hard for a struggling reader but with so many peaks in action it will keep them engaged to the end.
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Discussion Questions
1. When Percy finally learns the truth that he is the son of Poseidon, are you surprised? What hints are dropped before the revelation? How does Percy’s personality fit/not fit the god Poseidon?
2. Throughout the book, humor is used to counterbalance the serious situations Percy faces. For instance, the Minotaur wears white Fruit-of-the-Loom underwear, and Percy wants to tell the mummified Oracle, “thanks, wrong door, just looking for the bathroom.” What’s your reaction to the book’s humor? Does it seem appropriate for a sixth-grade narrator? Does it change your perception of the mythology?
3. When describing the effects of Mist, Chiron says, “Remarkable, really, the lengths humans will go to fit things into their version of reality.” How is this true in the novel? In Greek mythology? In real life?
4. Medusa tempts Percy to stay with her as a statue. She warns him that he is simply a pawn of the Gods. Does Percy seem like a pawn? Why or why not? If you were given Percy’s quest, would you undertake it or would you rebel?
5. The god Ares says he loves America. He calls it “the best place since Sparta.” What does he mean? Do you think this is a fair critique of American society? Why or why not?
6. The Lotus Casino in Las Vegas is a modern-day version of the Land of the Lotus Eaters, which Odysseus visited on his way back from Troy. Read the original version from The Odyssey. How do the two accounts differ? Is the danger Odysseus faced similar to the danger faced by Percy and his friends? Is society today more dominated by “Lotus Eaters”?
7. Read the modernized description of the Underworld in Ch. 18 – the EZ Death line, the security ghouls, the pollution in the River Styx. What do you think of this portrayal of the afterlife? Percy says Asphodel makes him depressed because “so few people did good in their lives.” Do you think believing in paradise and punishment makes people more likely to do good deeds? What do you think of the Greek concept of Asphodel, a neutral area where most of the dead are sent to do nothing for eternity?
8. How does the last line of the prophecy – you shall fail to save what matters most in the end – come true? What do you think of this ending? Did Percy make the right choice? What would you have done in his place?
9. In the end of the book, do you sympathize at all with Luke’s feelings of betrayal? How does his story act as a foil (a counterpoint) to Percy’s own?
Another great resource for exploring Greek Mythology is http://www.theio.com/.
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