"What are you reading?" I asked my friend. We were on the bus going to a field trip, and she was completely absorbed in a book.
"Percy Jackson. It's really good. I'm up to the third one. You should read them, they're great," she told me. I told her that I had looked for it in the library, but it had already been taken out. She said I could borrow them.
The next day, I walked up to her in science and she handed me "The Lighting Thief". I studied the cover, wondering what the book would be like. I saw a young boy in water looking up at a city, probably New York based on the tall building that I assumed was the Empire State Building, holding a golden sword in one hand and something I thought was an elephant's tusk. Lightning was flashing in the sky. I ran my fingers over the golden letters spelling out "The Lightning Thief" and saw the author, who I had never heard of before, Rick Riordan. I wondered if he was any good. I figured I'd have to read it to answer the many questions forming in my head.
After studying the cover, I dove into the Percy Jackson's life in New York City and didn't put it down until my teacher started speaking. Next thing I knew, it was time for second period. I walked to the classroom then entered Percy's world again, without placing it down until my teacher began to teach. This continued throughout the day. By the time I got home, I was already one third into the book. By the next day, I was done. I couldn't wait to get the next one from my friend.
So, why was I so addicted to Percy Jackson? Although the book was very easy for me, it was well written and Rick Riordan's words floated off the page until I felt like I knew Percy in real life. I don't want to say too much about the fabulous book (which is now also a movie), but I'll sum up the plot without giving anything away:
Percy Jackson is a dyslexic sixth grader with ADHD who has gotten kicked out of every school he has attended due to odd happenings he couldn't explain. When he gets expelled from his current school, he starts meeting monsters, then he is taken to Camp Half-Blood by his best friend Grover, who isn't really who he says he is. Well, his name is Grover, but I don't want to give it away! Anyway, he gets to the camp and finds out all kinds of things about who he is, and more importantly, who his father is. Meanwhile, something important has been stolen from someone very important, and Percy is the prime suspect. He has to go and find out who really stole it to clear his name and save his life, but more importantly, by finding who really stole it he will stop a huge war, therefore saving the world.
I know it's very vague, but I can't give much of it away! You'll have to read it to find out! So next time you go to the library or book store, look for book one of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: "The Lightning Thief". Once you get addicted (and if you like Greek Mythology, fantasy, and/or adventure, I'm sure you will), look for the second, "The Sea of Monsters", the third, "The Titan's Curse", the fourth, "The Battle of the Labyrinth", and the fifth, "The Last Olympian".
If you find you like this series, look for Rick Riordan's new series that's coming out soon: "The Kane Chronicles".
Now I'm going to reread "The Titan's Curse". I hope you'll fall in love with the series, too!
~cass402
