Percy Jackson: Trident Boy

I wish Percy Jackson was around when I was homeschooling my sons.

This native New Yorker's Olympian-sized adventures with Greek gods are just sick (as in awesome, cool, or insane).

The author, Rick Riordan, has a youthful, hilarious sense of humor and an appreciation for the classic texts - an unusual combo that works very well.

Kathy Davis, a Christian educator who frequently reviews kiddie literature, published a compact review of the first book in the series of five, The Lightning Thief. I found myself nodding in agreement with everything she wrote.

Here's Kathy:

"Greek mythology has never been more exciting. The gods and monsters are alive and active in modern-day society and their presence provides new explanations for weather phenomena, wars, and mood changes. Percy Jackson thinks he’s just your average 12-year-old boy with ADHD. But when he vaporizes his pre-algebra teacher on a school field trip he’s got his first clue he’s far from average. He’s a demi-god. His mom is mortal, and his dad just happens to be Poseidon, the god of the sea. With a satyr and the daughter of Athena as his companions, the trio set forth on a dangerous quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lighting bolt.

This amusing and gnarly adventure will both entertain and deliver an unforgettable and modernized education on Greek mythology. You can tell a kid that Ares is the god of war, but it’s much more fun to imagine him as a rough and tough biker who wears leather and wraparound shades. Or picture Medusa running a hamburger joint/garden gnome emporium. No wonder her statues look so life like. Percy faces off with the biggest and baddest monsters as his journey takes him right to Hades. Percy is humble, unpredictable, brave, and feisty. The Lightning Thief is very entertaining, but there are things to be aware of. Percy and the other 'half bloods' openly discuss their illegitimacy – having been conceived by the god’s love affairs with humans. There’s also a fair share of action violence, an abusive stepdad, pop culture, and a trip to the underworld that was especially creepy. For those looking for a fresh take on the Greek myths, the Lightning Thief will be hard to beat, but I can’t say I like all the extra immorality baggage that comes with the story."

The books are available at Big Box stores or your local library.

Yes, there is a movie, too.