Kristopher Richardson (Children's Literature)
Percy Jackson is an ordinary kid. He deals with ordinary problems such as algebra, boring field trips, and bullies picking on his best friend. But one day on a field trip one of his teachers turns into a monster and makes an attempt on Percy’s life, making him realize that he is not just a normal kid but the son of the Greek God of the Sea, Poseidon, and that he must attend a special summer camp for kids like him. Riordan’s first book in the “Percy Jackson and The Olympians” series uses a very familiar formula: a child, whose parents have died, goes to a magical place to learn about his special abilities and must defeat some sort of mysterious evil. I like the inclusion of Ancient Greek characters to this genre of book, but unfortunately the characters are clichéd and somewhat one dimensional. All in all, this book has little to offer readers except a sarcastic main character in a scenario ripped straight from the pages of Harry Potter, and a few tidbits of knowledge about Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, $7.99. Ages 9 to 12.

Elisabeth Greenberg (Children's Literature)
Percy Jackson, age 12, discovers he is the son of a Greek god in the worst possible way. He accidentally vaporizes his pre-Algebra teacher on a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His cover as a normal human being, saddled with ADHD and a lightning rod for trouble, is blown. Other-worldly monsters are on his trail. In rapid order he discovers his best friend Glover is a satyr, his Latin teacher is a centaur, and he himself is in the midst of a fight between the ancient Greek gods, including his Dad--name unknown. When Glover and Percy’s mother try to rescue Percy from the Three Fates, his mother disappears, melting in to the light, and Percy drags an injured Glover into Half-Blood Camp, where the half-human children of Greek gods train for their quests. He wakes to a pretty blonde, Annabeth, spoon-feeding him. Soon Percy, actually Perseus, begins his own danger-filled quest with Annabeth--a daughter of Athena--and the faithful Glover. In the Underworld he untangles the accusations of thievery leveled at him by Zeus, then overcomes Mars to make his way to Mount Olympus and his father’s acceptance of him. This mingling of the world today and the world of myth is outrageous, funny, compelling, and delightful. Who would have guessed that Mount Olympus sits 600 stories above the Empire State Building? This wild romp of a book will intrigue and amuse middle schoolers, whether they know the Greek myths or not. Best of all, it looks as though this is just the first adventure for Perseus, Glover, and Annabeth. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, $17.95. Ages 10 up.

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2006)
It takes a lot to stand out among the multitudes of new fantasy series that seem to be multiplying faster than the proverbial rabbits, but the first volume in Percy Jackson & the Olympians succeeds with ease. In an original premise, Rick Riordan offers up the difficulties faced by the twenty-first century offspring of Olympic gods. Percy Jackson, twelve-year-old boarding school renegade, is being asked to exit yet another academic institution as the novel opens. He thought he was a regular kid (even if a bit of a trouble-magnet), but his outlook makes a dramatic turn when he discovers that his best friend has hooves, his mother is annihilated by a Minotaur, and he’s the newest inductee to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods. Percy misses his mother and struggles with the unknown identity of his father—he must be a god, but which one? And why has he been such a deadbeat dad for the past twelve years? Percy must put aside these questions as he sets out on a quest to track down Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt and exonerate himself as the primary suspect. Accompanied by his satyr buddy and a formidable daughter of Athena, Percy travels from Long Island to L.A., battling hostile forces that include Medusa and the god Ares en route. While it holds obvious appeal for the many fans of Harry Potter, The Lightning Thief deserves recognition on its own merits, with witty narration, clever plotting, and characters readers will look forward to rejoining in Book 2 of Percy Jackson & the Olympians. CCBC Category: Fiction for Children. 2005, Miramax Books / Hyperion, 375 pages, $17.95. Ages 11-15.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 12))
Edgar Award-winning Riordan leaves the adult world of mystery to begin a fantasy series for younger readers. Twelve-year-old Percy (full name, Perseus) Jackson has attended six schools in six years. Officially diagnosed with ADHD, his lack of self-control gets him in trouble again and again. What if it isn't his fault? What if all the outrageous incidents that get him kicked out of school are the result of his being a "half-blood," the product of a relationship between a human and a Greek god? Could it be true that his math teacher Mrs. Dodds transformed into a shriveled hag with bat wings, a Fury, and was trying to kill him? Did he really vanquish her with a pen that turned into a sword? One need not be an expert in Greek mythology to enjoy Percy's journey to retrieve Zeus's master bolt from the Underworld, but those who are familiar with the deities and demi-gods will have many an ah-ha moment. Along the way, Percy and his cohort run into Medusa, Cerberus and Pan, among others. The sardonic tone of the narrator's voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship and loyalty. 2005, Miramax, 384p, $17.95. Category: Fantasy. Ages 12 to 15. Starred Review. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Debbie Lymer (Library Media Connection, August/September 2005)
What if the old Greek myths were true and not just ancient stories? That is the premise of Rick Riordan's new fantasy, adventure book. Percy, who just found out that he is a "Half-Blood," escapes the wrath of a monster when entering summer camp on Long Island. Only, this is no ordinary summer camp. This is a refuge for all children with a mortal parent and one parent that is a demigod. He discovers that his best friend, Grover, from school is a satyr whose job is to protect Percy from monsters and demons. Together with a new friend, who happens to be the daughter of Athena, Percy and Grover must travel across the United States to locate the thief of Zeus' lightning bolt. Because if Zeus doesn't recover his bolt, there will certainly be war between the gods. Students will enjoy the word sparing between Percy and many gods from Greek mythology, who in this book have managed to keep up with the times in language, dress, and attitude. This is a good read that just might have students looking at Greek mythology with a different perspective. Recommended. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing Worldwide, 384pp., $17.95 hc.

Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October 2005 (Vol. 59, No. 2))
Chased from his boarding school by monsters no one else sees, twelve-year-old Percy (Perseus) Jackson finds sanctuary at Camp Half-Blood, a Long Island summer camp for the hero offspring of the Greek gods. Identified as the son of Poseidon, Percy receives a mission: with two other camp residents, Annabeth and Grover, he must cross the United States to L.A. (Hades’ residence in recent years) to steal or bargain back the master thunderbolt that was stolen from Zeus last Christmas. Annabeth, daughter of Athena, is a capable quester; the satyr Grover provides moral support as Percy’s best friend. Together the triad bests Medusa, who runs a garden-statuary emporium; the Echidna, who rants about Australians’ naming an anteater after her; Cerberus, who deep down just wants someone to play with; and finally the god Ares himself. Percy’s uncertainty about his own place in the world balances nicely with his delight in finding that his dyslexia and ADHD actually have a purpose (he’s hardwired with the ability to read ancient Greek and with killer battlefield reflexes). Percy is more than a youthful action hero; his ambivalence about his relationship to Poseidon--who, after all, ignored him for twelve years--and his devotion to his smart, loving mother infuse his adventures with the potential for his realistic personal growth (which the ending indicates may further develop in a sequel). Slick and savvy, this remix of classical lore will have contemporary readers hooked; make sure you get more than one copy. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2005, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2005, Miramax/Hyperion, 377p, $17.95. Grades 5-8.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)
Percy Jackson, living with ADHD, finds meaning behind his difficulties at last--he's really a half-blood offspring of Poseidon. It's not long before he's sent on a quest to retrieve Zeus's thunderbolt from Hades (located, naturally, in L.A.). The book is packed with humorous allusions to Greek mythology and clever updates of the old stories, along with rip-snorting action sequences. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series). Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2005, Hyperion/Miramax, 375pp, 17.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.

Rachel Liesau (The Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2007)
Twelve year old Percy Jackson has just found out why he never met his father, he is an ancient Greek God who lives on Olympus. And now that Percy knows this, his life gets turned around even more when he gets a mission to save the entire world from a cataclysmic fight between the gods. With the help of satyr and a demigod daughter of Athena, will he return Zeus’s stolen weapon in time? This book is a great way to teach the reader about different Greek gods and other creatures, like the Minotaur and satyrs. Percy also suffers from dyslexia and ADHD and is often labeled as a troublemaker, but then finally finds a place where he can be accepted by kids who are just like him. He learns the value of his mother and of his friends who save him many times. This book definitely left me wanting the sequel! Category: Fiction.. 2005, Hyperion Books for Children, $17.95. Ages 11 to 16.

Monica Irwin (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 18, No. 1))
Percy Jackson is living a somewhat normal life until one day at a museum one of his teachers suddenly becomes a horrible beast and tries to kill him. It is then that he discovers he is not a normal kid. His name is actually Perseus and his father is the god, Poseidon. His mother has tried to protect him his whole life by moving him every year. She even married an incredibly stinky man, nicknamed "Smelly Gabe," by Percy. Gabe’s bad body order apparently covers up the smell of Percy’s half-god status. After the attack by the teacher, Percy is sent to a summer camp for other half-god children. On his way there, he is once again attacked. This time by the minotaur. It is while at camp that Percy discovers who his father truly is and that he will need to go on a quest. Percy’s quest will involve proving his innocence against charges that he stole from Zeus. He and two friends will travel to Hades--found, of course, under California. Mount Olympus is on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building in New York City. Percy and his two friends, Grover, a satyr, and Annabeth, also a half-god travel across the country. Meanwhile they meet Ares, Medusa, and many of the other gods and goddesses. The story is humorous and filled with action and adventure. Percy is a very likable hero. Plus with an ending just begging for sequels, this book will indeed be a popular choice among all readers. (Percy Jackson & The Olympians.). Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 5 and up. 2005, Miramax Books, 377p., $17.95. Ages 10 up.

David Goodale (VOYA, August 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 3))
Riordan borrows J. K. Rowling's magical formula in this obvious Harry Potter imitation with a nod to Lemony Snicket. Percy Jackson (Riordan's Harry Potter) is a twelve-year-old who knows nothing of his divine heritage and leads a troubled life bouncing from school to school. His life changes when he goes home for the summer after being expelled again. Percy begins to attract monsters, and his mortal mother has no choice but to send him to Camp Half-Blood Hill (Hogwarts) where he will be protected. At camp, Percy learns that the Greek gods still exist and that siring children with mortals is still their favorite hobby. All the children at the camp are half bloods like Percy, who is Poseidon's son. Percy befriends Annabeth (Hermione), a daughter of the goddess Athena. With the help of Annabeth and his protector, the satyr Grover (Hagrid), Percy adjusts to life at camp and foils an evil plot to start a war between the gods. One could easily compile a grocery list of Harry Potter likenesses. For instance, Camp Half-Blood Hill is divided into competing cabins just as Hogwarts is divided into House Gryffindor, House Slytherin, and so on. Imitation aside, Riordan is a talented, funny writer with a great knack for naming chapters, such as "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher." Purchase where fantasy, especially Harry Potter, is popular and look for the sequel in which the characters will no doubt be a year older as Annabeth vows to meet Percy at camp next summer. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Hyperion, 384p., $17.95. Ages 11 to 15.