Skip to main content

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

I was a kid myself when The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world:

Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes
Illustrated by Javier Espila
Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages.

Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology.

Written by Joshua G. Shifrin
Illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop
Washington D.C.: Magination Press, 2021. Informational. 131 pages.

While your ADHD makes it easier for you to focus on multiple things in combat, it can be hard to focus in class. This informational book is from the perspective of four different middle-schoolers with ADHD, who figure out over 100 study skills to make school easier for them. These skills are presented as different "tricks" that can be tried, encouraging students to experiment and find out what works for them.

Crayola: Cooking with Color
By Insight Editions
San Rafael, CA: Insight Editions, 2023. Informational. 126 pages.

Percy, you need to learn to appreciate foods that aren't blue. Your mom's blue chocolate chip cookies will always be special, but the other colors of food are also delicious! In this cook book, you will find recipes for chefs of all different skills, so there will be plenty of dishes you can make with your mom, with your friends in Aunty Em's kitchen, or all by yourself!

Medusa
By Katherine Marsh
New York: Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2024. Fiction. 277 pages.

Speaking of Aunty Em... this novel is about a girl who's not descended from a Greek god, but from Medusa! Ava Baldwin travels to a school in Venice for children who are related to all different kinds of Greek monsters. But after her friend is punished for challenging a teacher, Ava starts to realize that this school has a secret: one that might only exist to keep the status quo. I think Percy would like this book because like Ava, Percy is not content just abiding by what's been decreed by the gods as "normal."

The Last Shadow Warrior
By Sam Subity
New York: Scholastic Press, 2021. Fiction. 313 pages.

If Percy wants a story about a tween with a great mythological destiny thrust upon them that isn't Greek, I think he'll love The Last Shadow Warrior. It tells the story of Abby, who has been training to be a Viking Aesir, someone who protects the world from Grendels. When she and her father are attacked by the monsters, they travel to Vale Hall, just to find that the Viking council doesn't believe that Grendels still exist. Abby has to fight to prove that she isn't lying and to save her father's life.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The Mixed-Up Owl

The Mixed-Up Owl  Written by Marzena Sowa Illustrated by Joanna Lorno New York : Hippo Park, 2025. Picture Book. When Owl can't sleep at night, he heads off to see if any forest animals can help him understand why, and even more so, how to fix it!  Unfortunately, all the animals Owl runs into at night are asleep and all the animals he meets during the day are too rude or too busy to answer him.  Will Owl give up or will a chance meeting with a grumpy hedgehog provide all the solutions Owl was looking for? The premise of an owl trying to stay awake during the day because all the other animals around him do is very fun. Kids who know that owls are nocturnal will get a kick out of Owl's confusion and be quick to try to tell him what's going on.  Readers who don't know many facts about owls (or nocturnal animals in general) will get a brief introduction to the different ways animals sleep. The illustrations are charming, especially cute Owl and his expressive body langua...

Five Fives: Friendship

Friendship is such an important part of life! I love to have my friends to celebrate life's victories with. When I am having a rough time, I also rely on the strength of my friends. Picture books are a great way to talk to kids about friendships. With a new school year just around the corner, I think talking with kids about friendship and how to be a good friend is so important. These five books have friendships in them that might help facilitate discussions with your people! Love Grows Here By Amy Adele New York : Magic Cat Publishing, 2025. Picture Book. In this sweet story, there is a lovely garden that an elderly couple tends to with joy in their heart. When the woman is sent to the hospital for an extended stay, the animals that love the garden worry it won't be the same. But through grit and determination and teamwork, they work together and do what friends do best: take care of each other! The illustrations are absolutely amazing and will have kids enthralled with all of...

Review: Bug on the Bus

Bug on the Bus By David Catrow New York: Holiday House, 2026. Easy Reader.  Bug and many other creatures big and small hop onto the bus. A silly little bus driver witnesses the arrivals, and all is fine and well until Skunk joins the crew! Hilarity and fun ensue. This story is simple, but exciting. Early readers will be sure to love it! This book was a uniquely well done easy reader, as it is truly fully accessible for the most beginning reader! It is filled with simple words, many only three letters long. While it is filled with simple words, the story is fast paced and sure to please everyone listening. As an added bonus, the illustrations are charming and silly, which adds a lot to the book as a whole. Make sure to check this out for any budding readers in your life!