Percy Jackson & the Olympians

When I was quite a few years younger, I read only “serious,” “grown-up” books. Now I’m old enough (barely old enough, mind you) to admit that was a stupid, boring way to approach my reading life. These days I have a rule: For every grown-up book I read, I have to read at least one kids’ book. Actually, lately it’s mostly the other way around: For every kids’ book, I try to read one grown-up book. Sometimes I do not succeed, especially when I get involved with a series like Percy Jackson & the Olympians.

This series, by Rick Riordan, is fun, funny, full of adventure, and has a special appeal to those of us who studied classics in college. Percy is just an ordinary kid with ADHD, until he discovers he is the son of a god—the son of an Olympian god, that is. His mother is mortal, and his father is … On second thought, I’m not going to tell you. I’ll give you a clue though: Think water. Part of the fun in reading about Percy’s adventures is trying to put all the clues and hints together to name the god (or monster) in question before Percy does. And every once in a while, someone says something in ancient Greek—a little extra challenge for those of you who struggled to translate Herodotus and Xenophon and Homer in your Greek classes. Did I mention this is fun?

Another thing I enjoy in The Olympians series: The girls kick butt. Some adventure books are all about the boys. At least that’s how it was when I was growing up. The boys went out and did stuff while the girls stayed home to play dolls. For those of us girls who grew up climbing trees and having imaginary sword fights, changing a doll’s diaper just never cut it. Now girls in books get to actually have brains and be good at stuff—stuff like kicking a monster’s butt. I think this is a good thing, for girls and for boys.

I have so far read only the first three books in the series (I broke down and decided to read one of those “serious” books this week), but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them and can’t wait to get my hands on the next two books. If you need to get in touch with your inner 12-year-old, give Percy Jackson a try.