There are five books in this well-written series. My three eldest and I started reading these over the school holidays and have quickly finished the first four and are on the waiting list at the library for the 5th one. These have been books that we have all enjoyed and spent much time discussing.
Percy feels like a failure at school - he's been expelled from every school he's ever been to and strange, unexplained things happen to him. The book starts with his class on a field trip and very quickly things become quite surreal. He soon discovers that all that he has experienced is not as it has appeared.
The author, Rick Riordan, crafts these tales skilfully and with a deft sense of humour. I'm glad that our children were older when we read these books as they have some strong themes. The Greek gods are alive and well and have continued having children with mortals. These demi-gods (Percy included) must fight monsters who are sent from the Underworld to destroy them. There is violence but it is handled in a way that draws in the reader but is not overwhelming.
We have learnt a lot about Greek mythology and along the way we have talked much about gods and how they use and abuse their power, abandonment and irresponsibilty and compared this God's faithfulness and reliability and have enjoyed speculating as to each subsequent twist and turn.
I have not read the Harry Potter books so cannot compare them with these books but feel that the Percy Jackson books are well-suited to competent readers in the 10+ age range and I have also had fun reading them and the discussion they have evoked.
Very popular with my almost 13 year old. I was horrified that we are missing a couple of the series at my library - I will be rectifying that this week because I know there are lots of people who will be looking for them.
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