Percy Jackson & the Olympians," written by Rick Riordan, is a series of fantasy adventure novels centered around the character Percy Jackson, a demigod and the son of Poseidon. The series consists of five main books. The Lighting Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. Rick Riordan created the character of Percy Jackson when he began telling his son bedtime stories based on Greek mythology. His son, who had been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, inspired Riordan to create a hero with similar traits.

The "Percy Jackson" series has had a significant impact on popular culture, especially among younger people. It led to more interest in Greek mythology and inspired a new wave of young adult fantasy literature that blends a more modern setting with ancient Greek myths. The books have been praised for their educational value, integrating lessons on Greek mythology, history, and literature. They have been used in educational settings to engage students in learning about these Greek Myths. The series is notable for its diverse cast of characters, addressing issues like learning disabilities, LGBTQ+ representation, and multiculturalism, making it relatable to a broad audience.

There are some similarities between the book and what we have discussed in class. Character traits in both myths and the “Percy Jackson” series, Zeus is seen as the God and Gods while he is often temperamental and has control over the sky and lighting. There are also many differences between the book and what we have discussed in class. The main difference is the modern setting of the “Percy Jackson” series. Also, there are many plot adaptations. While the Percy Jackson series follows many myth plots, most are slightly altered to fit the needs of the modern setting that “Percy Jackson” has.

Rebecca Mead is a journalist for The New Yorker, and she wrote an article called “The Percy Jackson Problem.” This article discusses a talk given by novelist Neil Gaiman in which he believed that no books are bad for children and that fiction is a “gateway drug” to people reading more. A man named Tim Parks argued that not all reading is equal and emphasized that easy, repetitive books like books such as the “Percy Jackson” series might not lead to more challenging literature. This took place at an event held in a New York library with Rick Riordan, the author of “Percy Jackson.” The debate was centered on the idea that books like Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” might crowd out more advanced books for young readers.

References

Mead, Rebecca. “The Percy Jackson Problem.” The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2014, www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/percy-jackson-problem. Accessed 01 Aug. 2024.