Junior Alexandra-Renee Stewart has recently read one of the most critically-acclaimed novels, “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Rordan. It mixes adventure and fantasy based on Greek mythology.
“I like this novel because it does an excellent job of mixing friendship, love, and adventure,” Stewart said.
The novel starts out with introducing readers to the main character Percy Jackson. He is a 12-year-old boy with learning issues who experiences many academic difficulties. He frequently struggles with authoritative figures, such as his teachers, and often feels distanced and isolated.
One day on a school field trip to a museum, Percy gets assaulted by a creature who he later learns is a Fury, one of three monsters who work for Hades. He discovers his true identity, which is the son of Poseidon, and has to go to a safe haven for demigods, Camp Half-Blood. More bizarre events lead Percy to search for and return Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt to stop a war.
“The reason this novel has stayed with me ever since I read it was because some of the same problems I’ve had in my life were presented in this book,” Stewart said. “The author made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
Author Rick Rordan has published several books, some including “The Maze of Bones” and “Sword of Summer,” but his Percy Jackson’s books are his most famous and recognized. Rick Rordon did not always aspire to be a writer. He was born and raised in San Antonio and went to North Texas State University aspiring to actually be a guitarist. When that did not work out, he became a teacher and started teaching English and social studies.
In 1985, Rick Rordan married and ended up having two sons. He had the idea to write “The Lighting Thief” as a bedtime story to read to them about mythology. He made Percy Jackson as a boy with learning disabilities due to his son Haley having the same disadvantage.
“People that feel they don’t belong are who I recommend to read this book,” Stewart said. “ It makes you feel a sense of self love and worthiness.”
“The Lighting Thief” is the first novel out of seven novels from the Percy Jackson & Olympians series.
Rick Rordan’s “The Lightning Thief” teaches about being vulnerable and the values of trusting your friends, your family, and yourself.