Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

11+ (9+ if confident reader) 

Greek Mythology

Action, Humour

Relatable 

I bumped into Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief in a Year 8 class, about five years ago, and was hooked immediately.  Finally, my daughter was ready to read this at bedtime with me, and we spent most of last autumn and winter learning about Greek mythology while following Percy around Olympus (New York) and the Underworld (LA).  

Percy is a relatable 12 year old kid, who seems to be a magnet for trouble.  He is also the first book-based hero I've read who has dyslexia and ADHD.  Riordan's action-packed book has a healthy dose of humour throughout, so the serious events were navigated wonderfully, enabling this to be read at bedtime. Usually with our hefty Usborne Book of Greek Myths book nearby to find out more about the characters Percy meets. Great for KS2 prediction in literacy, as well as developing reading for pleasure; MiniDgtl does tend to sleep surrounded by books. 

We're now onto the second book in the series, which should see us through to spring. 

5/5