Fun Fiction Friday - November 17th, 2017

Fun Fiction Friday
November 17th, 2017

Welcome back to Fun Fiction Friday.

In my Fun Fiction Friday I share the books the older girls and I are reading, and a short review of a Young Adult or Juvenile book I have finished, if applicable. I will also ask the girls to tell me something they would like to share about at least one of the books they are currently reading.

Last week I shared a short review of the I am Number Four novella compilation, Secret Histories. I started reading Rebel Allies, but put it aside to read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This is the first book in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series.

I had tried watching the movie last week, but I fell asleep. We ended up watching the full movie together as a family, and then I continued reading the book, quite unwilling to put it down. I finished it this morning and am ready to start the second book, The Sea of Monsters. I have all of the books in the series ready and waiting.

Moving on...

We are continuing to make our way through Star of Light by Patricia St. John.

Tabitha finished Prince Caspian, and is now rereading some Boxcar Children books.

When she finishes these I think I have convinced her to try the Percy Jackson books.

Amelia is still trying to read The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.

However, they didn't get much reading done this week as they have been writing their stories for the Young Writers Program of NaNoWriMo.

Fun Fiction Friday

Book Review

The Lightning Thief is book one of the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series. We are first introduced to Percy, a twelve year old boy, when he is attending Yancy Academy which is a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York. Not only does he have behavioral issues, but he is dyslexic and has ADHD (which is important information for later on in the book). It isn't long before he ends up being expelled, which has happened to him multiple times in the past. He ends up finding his way to Camp Half-Blood where he is to spend his summer, and learns that he is a demi-god, a potential hero, the son of a god. One of the Greek gods that is. 

It takes a short amount time for them to determine whose son he is, but when they do, it causes quite the problem, especially because something has been stolen from one of the gods, and he is suspected of stealing it. He sets out on a quest with his friend and protector, Grover, and a fellow campmate Annabeth, to retrieve the item and return it before a terrible war is started. 

During this journey across America they encounter many a monster and there are even meetings with gods. Percy learns that he has some interesting powers that help them when they are in dire circumstances. He learns who he can trust and who he shouldn't. 

All in all, their quest is quite the adventure. As we will be learning about ancient Greece in our schooling this year, I loved the chance to read a story focused on Greek gods and the part they supposedly play in our current world. I found the explanation as to why they are now in America, as opposed to Greece quite intriguing and entertaining. 

The story is told in the first person, with Percy telling us his story. So we get to know his thoughts, see his dreams and realize his powers and such with him. We see him as a young boy who is longing for a relationship with his dad whom he had never known, and who seemingly just lost his mother as well to one of the monsters who is out to kill him. We get to see him grow emotionally during their quest, and learn to fight against those who have it in for him and his friends. 

This book really drew me in and kept my attention. It was a quick read, but not too juvenile. Because of the nature of the story, with the Greek gods, there are mentions of adulterous and out-of-wedlock relationships. Though there are no details that would be inappropriate for children. I loved the memories of the greek gods coming back to me from what I have learned in school. There is a lot of adventure. I can't wait to read the second book to see what is going to be asked of our hero next. 

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