Percy Jackson Graphic Novel: The Lightning Thief

Why haven't I taken the time to read this before? This is utterly delightful - full of action and humour, humanising gods and monsters in a 21st century context. I loved it!

I love Rick Riordan's writing style and characterization. I have always enjoyed mythology and he does a great job of bring any and all mytholgy to life in a fresh and new way. I find the characters to be engaging and to feel really real. His characters feel fresh and diverse without feeling like he makes them diverse just to have diversity. He does not belabor the point of their diversity it just is a fact of who they are and yet anyone who reads his books can feel included in representation. I love how he weaves the mythology into modern times so you feel like you are learning something as you are being entertained.

A good comic book version of the novel "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief". It was well-drawn and more true to the book than the movie version, but there were still several point left out, including Luke's attack on Percy at the end of the novel; in the comic book it is just revealed that he has left Camp Half-Blood. Overall though, a fast-paced and exciting read.

I kind of want this to be a 2.5. I shouldn't be rating it yet because I'm only about a third of the way in, but I do already know the story, and I have to say that I don't love the illustration style. The movies gave us at least a little racial diversity, and that's lost here, plus um Percy looks like a bulky almost-adult and he's supposed to be in SIXTH GRADE. Not cool.

Summary
Percy Jackson has struggled all his life with Dyslexia and ADHD. He has been kicked out of multiple schools and never felt like he belonged. Things are about to change, though, as creatures from his mythology class are beginning to show up and he finds himself accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt. He and his friends must now work to prove his innocence, and find the real culprit who has the mythical world up in arms.
Personal Response
Many aspects of Riordan’s story are missing within this abridged graphic novel. But for struggling readers or fans of the original wanting to experience it on a new platform, the basic premise remains the same. The mythological world that Percy has learned about in school is real, and he’s show more about to find out how big a part he has to play in it.
Curriculum Connection
The Percy Jackson series serves as an exciting way for students to learn about Greek mythology. Many of the key deities are included or referenced to within it. For students who would have trouble digesting the full books, this graphic version will offer an alternative route. show less

Percy Jackson, not your average 12 year old, is having trouble adjusting to everyday life and finding that he's not so normal. He begins to see this when his teacher turns into a monster and tries to kill him. He gets thrown into a world that he previously thought was just a myth. It turns out that Percy Jackson is a Half-Blood - he's part Greek God and part human. He's part of a prophesy; destined to be a hero. The plot centers around his quest to help save Zeus' lightning bolt when he becomes the prime suspect. He sets off to find the Underworld and begins one of the most exciting and dangerous journeys where he encounters many other dangerous mythical characters along the way. His quest spans from across the US, stopping at various show more cities to find the lightning thief.

The author does a great job of melding the mythical world into the modern world, and seeing how these two work together, makes this a magical, fun read. The characters have a great sense of humor, which sometimes leaves you laughing out loud. The character traits, cities, and events have been given a modern day adaptation. It really brings an inventive take on Greek Gods. This is a fun, adventureous fantasy with so many twists and turns. It's entertaining from start to finish. It's an easy, simple and light read, but complex enough to not leave an older reader bored. I would recommend this to readers of all ages. This is book one in the series of five.

Grades: 6-8 show less

4Q
5P

The stunning illustrations in this graphic novel version of The Lightning Thief bring the characters and settings to life so much so that one might think they would spring off the page! Children who enjoy both graphic novels and The Lightning Thief will love this rendition of the tale with its vivid, bold artwork. The only thing that keeps it from 5Q is that it is an exact retelling of the story and Rocco does not use the illustrations to add depth to the story, but simply to retell it almost exactly. While the illustrations are stunning, I would have preferred them to add more to the story.