Lightning Thief
I finally read The Lightning Thief, which is Book 1 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. I really liked the book,
Since this book's publication five years ago, it's won many awards and Riordan has written several more in the series, and The Lightning Thief movie has come out, too. For those not familiar with this book, it's about a 12-year-boy who's dyslexic and has ADHD—and who always seems to get into trouble at school. Plus he just happens to be the son of Poseidon, but he doesn't know that until he goes to a special summer camp. A summary of the complicated and action-packed book is here.
How could I have missed this book? I wish it had been around when I taught a Greek mythology unit in junior high and later middle school. I loved teaching that unit—the closest junior high came to classical literature. Since much of literature—classical and otherwise—has so many mythological allusions, a working knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology is essential to anyone's education. In fact, it would be difficult to "get" Percy Jackson without knowing a little something about mythology, although readers will learn plenty as they go along with Percy and his two pals (a satyr and a daughter of Athena) on their quest to find and return Zeus's lightning bolt.
Of course—and this is hard to believe—not all parents want their kids exposed to mythology. I remember years ago colleague telling me that a parent objected to it on religious grounds, so several weeks of alternate lessons had to be provided for the child, lest she be corrupted. Consequently, on his website, Riordan (who was a teacher for fifteen years) posts a rationale for teaching his book:
The Lightning Thief is a book that most kids would read for fun. That they'd learn something is a real plus. I hope a lot of teachers incorporate this book in their lesson plans. If I were still teaching, I surely would.
(Any teachers reading this, check out the Percy Jackson web site as well as Riordan's downloadable "Teacher's Guide to Percy Jackson.")
Since this book's publication five years ago, it's won many awards and Riordan has written several more in the series, and The Lightning Thief movie has come out, too. For those not familiar with this book, it's about a 12-year-boy who's dyslexic and has ADHD—and who always seems to get into trouble at school. Plus he just happens to be the son of Poseidon, but he doesn't know that until he goes to a special summer camp. A summary of the complicated and action-packed book is here.
How could I have missed this book? I wish it had been around when I taught a Greek mythology unit in junior high and later middle school. I loved teaching that unit—the closest junior high came to classical literature. Since much of literature—classical and otherwise—has so many mythological allusions, a working knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology is essential to anyone's education. In fact, it would be difficult to "get" Percy Jackson without knowing a little something about mythology, although readers will learn plenty as they go along with Percy and his two pals (a satyr and a daughter of Athena) on their quest to find and return Zeus's lightning bolt.
Of course—and this is hard to believe—not all parents want their kids exposed to mythology. I remember years ago colleague telling me that a parent objected to it on religious grounds, so several weeks of alternate lessons had to be provided for the child, lest she be corrupted. Consequently, on his website, Riordan (who was a teacher for fifteen years) posts a rationale for teaching his book:
The novel offers an excellent chance for students to explore the Classical heritage of Greece as it applies to modern civilization; to analyze the elements of the hero’s quest rendered in a modern-day story with a first-person narrator to whom students can easily relate; and to discuss such relevant issues as learning disabilities, the nature of family, and themes of loyalty, friendship and faith.
The Lightning Thief is a book that most kids would read for fun. That they'd learn something is a real plus. I hope a lot of teachers incorporate this book in their lesson plans. If I were still teaching, I surely would.
(Any teachers reading this, check out the Percy Jackson web site as well as Riordan's downloadable "Teacher's Guide to Percy Jackson.")
~
posted by Becky Mushko | 6:12 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home