Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of a Greek god, gets sent to a summer camp for demigods, and is soon on a quest across America to prevent a war between the Olympians.
Themes
✅ Why We Recommend This Book
A masterclass in making mythology exciting and accessible. Kids who read this series often become fascinated by ancient history and mythology. Action-packed, funny, and inclusive — Percy has dyslexia and ADHD, which are reframed as heroic traits.
Percy Jackson has always known he's different — he's dyslexic, has ADHD, and can't seem to stay in any school for more than a year. But when a teacher transforms into a monster and attacks him, Percy discovers the truth: he's the son of Poseidon, god of the sea.
Sent to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, Percy soon finds himself accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt — and must go on a cross-country quest to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods.
Reading Tips for Parents: Rick Riordan includes factual mythology throughout — consider looking up the myths referenced after each chapter. The series has a companion book Percy Jackson's Greek Gods for deeper mythology exploration.
Discussion Questions:
- Percy's dyslexia and ADHD are actually gifts in the demigod world. Can you think of traits that might seem like weaknesses but could actually be strengths?
- Who would you want as your Olympian parent, and why?
- Why is it important that Annabeth, Percy, and Grover have different strengths?