Vicky T. (VickyJo) - reviewed on 3/17/2009 + 49 more book reviews

I bought a book for my library called "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan. It's a children's book, about 6th grade level and up. I often read children's and young adult titles so I can steer kids towards things they'll enjoy.



Anyway, I loved this book! The main character is Percy: 12-year-old, ADHD and dyslexic. He struggles in school with his dyslexia, but he's smart. He gets in trouble a lot (ADHD) but not intentionally. Lo and behold, he discovers that he's only half mortal; the Greek Gods are still alive and well up on Mt. Olympus, and Percy's father is actually Poseidon! This means Percy is a "hero", a demi-god or half-blood. He has to go to Camp Half-Blood for instruction and training, because all those great monsters from Greek mythology are after him. And of course, he must go on a hero's quest.



The thing I absolutely loved was the positive spin the author puts on Percy's "afflictions"--dyslexic? No, his brain is really hardwired to read Ancient Greek. That's why he sometimes has trouble with English. ADHD? Nope...battle reflexes shining through! I loved the positive spin on the negative labels some kids acquire. Plus, it was well-written, with humor and excitement. It's a series as well, so if you know any middle-school boys that you would like to get to read...you might try this one!

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