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Percy Jackson and the Olympians

November 29, 2010 by Nancy

Percy Jackson and the Olympians was born when Rick Riordan’s son was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. 5 books were published over the course of 4 years, following demigod Percy and his friends – including a satyr and a cyclops, along with other demigods – as they helped the Greek gods fight the Titans. Each book is somewhat standalone, in that there is a quest led by one of the demigods, but each also is important to the overall arc leading to the rise of the Titan god Kronos.

In spite of unfavorable comparisons to Harry Potter – Riordan has been accused of ripping off the famous JK Rowling stories – the Percy Jackson books have developed a pretty big following. Like Harry Potter the books are written for a Young Adult audience but are enjoyed by adults and older kids alike. The stories are based in Greek mythology with some liberties taken along the way, and there are twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and then anxious to read the next book.

At the end of The Last Olympian, the fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson series, Riordan (pronounced Ryer’dan) promised there would be more stories about the heroes of Camp Half-Blood, and last month The Lost Hero was published. The first in the new Heroes of Olympus series, The Lost Hero follows 3 new demi-gods: Jason, Leo and Piper, as they discover who they are and how they fit into the Great Prophecy.

While the Percy Jackson series is set firmly in Greek mythology, The Lost Hero introduces Roman mythology into the mix. I never realized that the Greek and Roman gods not only have different names, but also slightly different personalities. To go into more detail would spoil the book but suffice it to say this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the characters. Unlike the first series, which is told solely from Percy’s point of view, The Lost Hero is told in alternating chapters by Jason, Leo and Piper. This allows the reader to get into the head of each of the heroes and understand where they’ve come from, their motivation for their actions and how they feel about their new identities.

While Jason, Leo and Piper, like most heroes, have no idea who they are until they arrive at Camp Half Blood, they don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on this new discovery or at Camp Half Blood itself. There are a few familiar faces from the first series but they are mostly in the background, and Percy himself is nowhere to be found. This allows those new to the Camp Half Blood world to enjoy the book without prior knowledge of the gods and monsters, however I think those who have read the first series will have a better appreciation of the new series. I am very much looking forward to the next book, which I’m assuming will introduce more of the heroes described in the Great Prophecy.

These books are a hit with elementary and middle school readers who enjoy fast-paced mythical stories.

As part of our Gift Guide and Giveaway, the publisher is offering both a copy of The Lost Hero and a boxed set of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, for a total value of $100 (US only please).

This giveaway is now closed.

Also, be sure to check out the giveaway over at 5 Minutes for Mom — another fantastic adventure: Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation.


Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.

Nancy can’t wait to see her boys’ faces when they see new books on Christmas. She writes about her 2 boys and life in Colorado at Life Wtih My Boys.

Filed Under: Children's Books, Gift Ideas, Middle Grade Chapter Books, Nancy Tagged With: Gift Guide and Giveaway 2010

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Comments

  1. Sheila Hickmon says

    December 2, 2010 at 8:25 am

    Thanks for the chance, these would be great for my niece!

  2. Melissa R. says

    December 2, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    I would love to win this for both myself and my stepdaughter. We’ve both read the first book but none of the others. Keeping my fingers crossed. really want this one

  3. Jeni says

    December 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    These would b great for my daughter

  4. Martha C says

    December 2, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    This would be wonderful to add to my classroom library. All the kids would be so impressed if I “won” them.

  5. Doug Mauss says

    December 2, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Read all the Percy Jackson books from the library. Would love to own them AND the new one. Thanks!

  6. cctine says

    December 2, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    this would be a welcome addition to our library.
    thanx…

  7. Maureen Timerman says

    December 3, 2010 at 7:08 am

    Wonderful..my 12 year old Grandson would love this!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

  8. Lisa C says

    December 3, 2010 at 9:49 am

    This would be perfect for my son who’s a 5th grader. It’s hard to find books he’d enjoy and these stories look like something he’d devour. Thanks for hosting.

  9. Linda Henderson says

    December 3, 2010 at 10:44 am

    My grandson would love these, thank you so much for the great giveaway.

    seriousreader at live dot com

  10. Stacey B. says

    December 3, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    WHat a great contest! Thanks for the chance to win!

  11. Kristine (Mommy Needs Therapy) says

    December 3, 2010 at 10:00 pm

    Wow, what an awesome giveaway! My 7yo isn’t quite ready to read these himself but I would love to read them to him! He also has ADHD and some learning disabilities.

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