Book Review: The Lightning Thief

Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Comments

A very interesting book that brings mythology to life.  There is a lot of violent and disturbing content, though no one piece is overly disturbing.  Not a book for a sensitive child or for below the age range.  Probably better for closer to 11 year-olds, though the density of the story will likely keep most kids away until about then.

Language

Level 1 [?]

Sexual Content

Nothing to worry about here, really, though a young fan did ask her mom why the gods and mortals were having babies together when they weren’t married (premarital sex), in case you get asked about that. Word use: ‘maiden’ in conjunction with not having any children just in case you get asked what that means.  Male god finds human female attractive, ends with ‘How sexist is that?’

Drugs/Alcohol

Stepfather has parties where beer is served to adults. Adult smokes cigars.

Violence/Disturbing

A surprising amount of stuff for a book of this age-level.  Adults (including teachers) want to harm or kill kids, death of a bad guy described as: ’smell of sulfur and a dying screech and a chill of evil in the air’ as if those two glowing read eyes were still watching me.  Multiple characters want to kill Percy, quite a bit of peril, some description of violent attacks and gruesome characters.  ‘It smelled evil down here. It made me think of things I shouldn’t even know about-blood spilled on an ancient stone alter, the foul breath of a murder.”

Social/Family

Stories of infidelity and some of the relationship problems the Greek gods created.  Allusion to stepfather being physically, verbally and emotionally abuse to character’s mom. Idea that your parents lie to you from birth on.  ‘My dad’s resented me since the day I was born.’ Character is kicked out of schools for getting into trouble.

Religion/Spiritual

As relates to Greek myths.  Evil very real and present and can harm kids.