Kids’ fantasy books seem to fall into two categories. One, the all-out fantasy complete with dragons, elves, dwarves, and talking animals, set in a completely fantastical world—these are the sort dreamed up by JRR Tolkien and Brian Jacques.
The other brand of kids’ fantasy houses, among others, those authors like JK Rowling. In these books, an ordinary world hides an extraordinary one. In this vein comes Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Harry Potter fans will feel right at home: Percy Jackson is an almost orphan who goes away to a summer camp to discover just who exactly he is.
Mount Olympus in Modern America
But it isn’t a wizard. Riordan’s hidden world within 21st century America is that of Mount Olympus. The Greek gods and heroes of myth are alive and thriving in the here and now. Percy has been kicked out of every school he’s attended due to happenings beyond his control, the most recent of which involved his algebra teacher actually being one of the Furies.
Percy finds out quickly enough that he isn’t just a dyslexic, ADHD adolescent. In fact, he is a hero. The definition of hero comes from those like Jason and Hercules: children of the Greek gods and a mortal. Percy is a half-blood, a hero.
Following the continued definition of a hero, from mythology to literature, Percy soon finds himself on a quest. His quest will involve his friends, the gods, monsters, gifts, and a betrayal. Most importantly, the quest allows Percy an opportunity to learn about himself, about his heritage, and about the larger world around him.
Educating in Greek Mythology
Riordan’s knowledge of Greek mythology is impressive. He seamlessly weaves the myths into the story as Percy meets the famous and legendary characters. All figures—monsters like the Cyclopes and Minotaur, mythical creatures like satyrs and centaurs, gods like Ares and Dionysus—exist for Percy. He can speak with them, use his limited mythology knowledge to make educated decisions about them.
Readers, too, will learn with Percy. They also are able guess, wait in suspense, and hope right alongside their hero. Riordan has made it so that if his readers want to dive into their own Greek mythology knowledge, it won’t hurt they enjoyment of the books. But not having that knowledge is no loss either; Riordan unfolds it beside Percy’s own story.
The Continuing Saga
Riordan’s Percy Jackson series stands currently at four books, but on his website. Riordan says there will be a total of five in the series. He is not discounting more books about Camp Half-Blood, perhaps about Percy’s friends and other heroes, but as for Percy’s story, he will conclude with five.
The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan, Hyperion/Miramax Kid, April 2006. ISBN: 9780786838653
