The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. When his teachers start turning into monsters who try to kill him, Percy's mother sends him to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods. When Zeus's master lightning bolt is stolen, Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Discussion

Percy gets exasperated with his mother because she puts up with Smelly Gabe, yet he is proud of her because "she did have a rebellious streak, like me." Do you find Sally Jackson a strong character? Does she stand up for herself and for her son?

Percy was always being treated unfairly by some of his teachers. Have you ever been treated unfairly by a teacher (or parent, or other adult)? Describe the circumstances and why you considered the treatment unfair.

Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. How is Annabeth like her mother? Does anything about Annabeth's character strike you as unlike Athena?

When describing the effects of Mist, Chiron says, "Remarkable, really, the lengths humans will go to fit things into their version of reality." How is this true in the novel? In Greek mythology? In real life?

Medusa tempts Percy to stay with her as a statue. She warns him that he is simply a pawn of the Gods. Does Percy seem like a pawn? Why or why not? If you were given Percy's quest, would you undertake it or would you rebel?

Percy was given a special pen which turns into a sword. If you were granted one magical item of your choice, what would this item be, and what power would it have?

When Percy finally meets his father, Poseidon seems distant and hard to read. Percy says that he is actually glad about this. "If he'd tried to apologize, or told me he loved me, or even smiled -- that would've felt fake. Like a human dad, making some lame excuse for not being around." Do you agree with Percy? Do you find yourself liking Poseidon or not?

After her return from the quest, Annabeth resolves to try again to live with her father and her stepfamily. Do you think they will all get along better now? Why? Why not?

Percy's learning difficulties become strengths in a different context. What seem to be attention problems allow him to be aware of all sides of attack during a battle. While he struggles to read English, he masters ancient Greek almost effortlessly. What skills are valued most in today's society? How might students who struggle today have been successful in a different moment in history?

In Ancient times, the Greeks had gods for many important forces in their lives -- the sea, thunderstorms, farming, music, medicine, poetry, archery, etc. If you were to make up a pantheon of modern gods, what would important modern forces would they govern?

In the end of the book, do you sympathize at all with Luke's feelings of betrayal?

Activity

Claiming Ceremony and Special Gift

You Will Need:
2 dice
1 round plate
1 ruler
2 large pieces blank paper
Several blank sheets of drawing paper
Markers

What To Do:

Make the god and goddess "pie":
Use the plate to trace a circle on the large piece of paper. Then use a ruler to divide the circle up into 12 "pie" pieces. Number each of the pieces 1-12. Write the name of one of the 12 gods or goddess in each "pie" piece: Zeus, Hades, Hermes, Poseidon, Apollo, Hunter of Artemis, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Demeter, Ares, Athena, and Aphrodite.

Make the special gift "pie":
Use the plate to trace a circle on the large piece of paper. Then use a ruler to divide the circle up into 12 "pie" pieces. Number each of the pieces 1-12. Write the name of one of the 12 objects in each "pie" piece: Shoes, pen, hat, mirror, coin, whistle, sunglasses, book, watch, ring, belt, and key

Roll the Dice!
Now, using the god and goddess "pie", take turns rolling the dice to find out which god or goddess is your immortal parent! Then, using the special gift "pie", find out what magical object your god or goddess gave you to help you on your quests.

Draw!
After you know who your immortal parent is and what gift you were given, use a blank piece of paper and markers to draw a picture of your special gift. Explain to your group what powers this special gift has, and how these powers reflect your immortal parent's powers.

Recipe

Nectar, Ambrosia Squares and Strawberries.

Nectar and ambrosia would turn a normal mortal's blood into fire and bones into sand, but since you are a demigod, you can enjoy these treats to help you on your quest. Luckily, Camp Half Blood is also known for growing strawberries, so be sure to take those along for your normal mortal friends to eat!

Nectar Apple Juice Punch
From AllRecipes.com
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Orchard- Punch/Detail.aspx

Ingredients:
1 (32 fluid ounce) bottle apple juice, chilled
1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 liters ginger ale
1 apple
Directions: In a large punch bowl, combine apple juice, cranberry juice concentrate and orange juice. Stir until dissolved, then slowly pour in the ginger ale. Thinly slice the apple vertically, forming whole apple slices. Float apple slices on top of punch.

Ambrosia Sugar Cookie Squares with Strawberries
From CDKitchen.com
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/27/Sugar_Co okie_Squares58845.shtml

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
3 cups flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
Fresh strawberries
Directions:
Cream shortening, sugar; then add eggs. add the rest of the ingredients alternately. Spread into a 11x15 pan. Bake @ 350° 20 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top, cut into squares and serve with strawberries.