A 2006 ALA Notable Children's Book

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse -- Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy’s mom finds out, she knows it’s time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he’ll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon, a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Rick Riordan is the author of the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. For the past fifteen years, Rick has taught sixth through eighth grades at middle schools in the San Francisco Bay area and in Texas. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. This is his first book for young readers.

Download the Percy Jackson Event Kit.

Read the complete Chapter 1.

Download the Lightning Thief Readers Theater Script.

Complete book available on audio from Listening Library.