| Author | |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
My 12-yr-old dd has left behind the world of Tolkien and picked up Rick Riordan mythological-adventures with Percy Jackson series.
Has anyone had a child read these? Are there any head's up I should know about?
I see there's a movie coming out so I'm glad she's reading the books first (and all my children find study of the Greek and Roman gods fascinating).
Couldn't find any mention in the archieves so I thought I'd ask.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
LeeAnn
Forum Pro
Joined: May 25 2007
Location: Washington
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 470
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 1:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My 10yo & 12yo have read these. I saw the movie was coming and so I've just finished reading #1. Generally, I would say it's acceptable, particularly if you already have allowed your child to read all of D'Aulaire's Greek Myths and have had some discussions about the less-than-perfect behavior of the Greek gods.
*spoilers ahead*
The general premise is that Percy is a demigod, a son of Poseidon, but he doesn't know it at the beginning. Various mythical monsters and enemies pursue him, he ends up at a "summer camp" for other demigods (or half-bloods, as they are usually now called) who are all children of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. So, there is some explaining to do about how it is that Hermes has a whole bunch of children he doesn't know about and so on. However, the book makes some interesting parallels to modern families where kids are often raised without fathers. Many of the demigods are unhappy that their immortal parents never spend any time with them, and so on. Hera, being the goddess of marriage, and Athena, a pledged virgin, don't have any illegitimate children of course. There's also some fun stuff about how ADD is "actually" a misdiagnosis of being a half-blood and how Percy's dyslexia is due to the fact that he "was made to read ancient Greek" (which I guess goes in the other direction?). Kind of a fun way to turn problems into assets. :) There's a lot of violence...he's fighting Medusa and Echidna and the Minotaur with a sword and there's blood...but also a lot of cleverness and goodness. At one point the characters lose five days in a Las Vegas funhouse for kids (video games, entertainments galore) when they think they've only been there a few hours.
I didn't particularly like one of the plot resolutions: his mother is being abused by her husband (Percy's stepfather) and Percy brings her the head of Medusa and gives her the choice to take care of the problem herself rather than doing it for her. It is implied later that she does it, as she sells an award-winning statuary of a man playing poker (the stepdad's signature thing). But I suppose that's right in line with the Greek myths--revenge is perfectly acceptable in that sort of world.
I am planning to read #2-5 in the next few months, but overall, I'd say they were OK for an older reader.
__________________
my four children are 17, 15, 11 & 8 - all now attend public school - we read many 4Real recommended books at home
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 1:56pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My son loves these ... read all 5 books at lightning speed. Seriously, he devoured them ... and just when I was thinking he'd never be as avid a reader as I am ... just in his own time, I guess!
I read the first one and didn't see anything to worry about. They were highly recommended by a Catholic high school english teacher who is very careful. She's even having her 9th graders read it to prove that Greek Myths have an enduring quality.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
missionfamily
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 10 2007
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1859
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Quinn read these as we completed our year of mythology studies last year. He too was ravenous for them and has recently re-read them all in anticipation of the movie's release. I read the first and also checked in with a few conservative sources and these seemed on the okay list. I am grateful because he really, really loves them.
__________________
Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, good! Thank you all.
Chelsea has always been a huge reader and loves series. She says she's not deserting Tolkien. She plans to come back to LOTR later but was intrigued with this series. She takes a Latin class and literature class at co-op and both classes discuss heavily the Greek myths and gods. I wasn't surprised she wanted to read them but didn't know anything about them.
Thanks again! It's always nice to be able to give your child a book and say, "Knock yourself out." 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Anonymous
Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 21 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 147
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 3:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My dd is counting.down.the.days till that movie opens. She pines away thinking of it sometimes by watching the trailer on the computer!
Loves them!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stefoodie
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8457
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
here's a previous thread, Cay.
__________________
stef
mom to five
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 4:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you, Stef. I missed that. Just read through the whole thread and appreciate the feedback. 
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary G
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5790
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 5:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
KackyK wrote:
My dd is counting.down.the.days till that movie opens. She pines away thinking of it sometimes by watching the trailer on the computer!
Loves them! |
|
|
Yes, Thomas has already negotiated what he needs to do to be able to go see it with Mom (his favorite date, for now anyway!  )
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: Jan 08 2010 at 7:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I LOVE the Percy Jackson series. I read the first one with my son and then had to keep reading ahead of him. I read them all in about 3 days. I just couldn't put them down.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Michiel
Forum Pro
Joined: April 17 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 114
|
| Posted: Jan 14 2010 at 9:19pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My son got the first one today, after we waited a month for the one we reserved at the library to be returned. He is SO EXCITED. And I like that it ties in with his other studies. I noticed that Catholic Digest is recommending the movie. I look forward to reading it after he's done.
__________________
Michiel
mom to two boys
Landscapes and Portraits
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
TracyQ
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1323
|
| Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 11:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My daughter is just about to finish the series today. She's sad she's finishing it, she loved it so much.  She and her dad will go see the movie together. She's in 9th grade, but hadn't found out about them until recently. She read the series very quickly! She is studying World History this year, so it's fine she's reading them along with her other reading.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Feb 04 2010 at 11:44am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My son is 16 and an avid reader. Would you say he is too old for this series? I don't know anything about them.
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 11:22am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have a seven year old who reads well ahead of his grade level, and we're working through all the standard Greek myth books now- I was thinking he would enjoy this for fun when we finish those books. Is it too mature for him?
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 11:52am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Becky, I'd give them a try. My 16yo found them to be not worth his while. My 15yo read some of them and liked them. I thought that the storyline was interesting and enjoyed reading them with my boys. The vocabulary will certainly not challenge your 16yo.
Krista, I don't think that they're above a 7yo. He will probably need help with pronunciation (Greek names) and may miss some of the details and connections, but the series has enough action that he would be able to follow along. The material isn't any more "mature" than the Greek myths themselves. The most scandalous part IMO is the whole aspect of gods having children with many women/men whether or not they are already married, etc.
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Grace&Chaos
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 07 2010
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1261
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 12:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Krista, My 11 year loved this series when it first came out. I had such a kick out of watching her work through the books. She would sit with it and alongside she had the usual myth books (D'aulaire's and Usborne) to cross reference its accuracy or to explain characters/themes. She enjoyed them so much, she is now reading through his second series.
__________________
Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 8:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks, ladies. I'll put the first one on reserve and give it a quick read.
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Becky
My ds 16 had this set on his wish list and just received it for his 16th. It is a light read but he does enjoy them.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: May 18 2011 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I enjoyed them for that matter.. but yes, light fun reading.
and yes it makes the kids wonder what the "real myth" is about the characters.
The movie is probably worse than any of the books.. so if you've seen that and it was ok.. the books should be too. Though as you get further into the war, more characters die. That might be disturbing for a younger reader.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: May 19 2011 at 5:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JodieLyn wrote:
| and yes it makes the kids wonder what the "real myth" is about the characters. |
|
|
Mine have plenty of arguments as to why they are educational
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Percy Jackson's Mythological Adventures
