The Lightning Thief (201 - 219)

I am still continuing to read this very interesting book, The Lightning Thief, about Percy's quest to save the world. I thoroughly enjoyed this short two chapters that I have read. Even though this section that I have read is rather short, there is a lot that can be learned from one of the main characters in this section.

Through chapter thirteen, titled "I Plunge To My Death," we learn a lot about one of the main characters, Annabeth, who is the daughter of Athena. Athena, wants all of her children to become great builders, but not destroyers, so she entourages all of them to create great marvels. Therefrom, we can see why Annabeth wants to become an architect, after the world has been saved. This quote below explains a little of the knowledge of Annabeth, and some of her skills with architecture.

The Arch was about a mile from the train station. Late in the day the lines to get in weren't that long. We threaded our way through the underground museum, looking at covered wagons and other junk from the 1800s. It wasn't all that thrilling, but Annabeth kept telling us interesting facts about how the Arch was built, and Grover kept passing me jelly beans, so I was okay. (203)

This short passage explains much to us about three of the characters in the book. It indirectly suggests that Annabeth is very intelligent, and is knowing of much history and architecture. It also directly tells us that, the main character, Percy gets bored from history and likes to know and see interesting things. Additionally, it also shows to the reader that Percy likes jelly beans, as that was a cure to him being bored, so one could infer that Percy really likes to eat jelly beans.

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. Print.

The Lightning Thief (157-201)

I am still in the midst of reading The Lightning Thief, and am still thoroughly engrossed in the book. Currently in the book Percy is going on his quest to save the world. Fliers meanwhile, are being posted up all over New York City, in the search to find the missing Percy. Percy does not care for the quest to save the world but did accept it for a reason unknown to us, the readers.

One of the passages that struck me, is the one that I have listed below. I do not understand why one would not want to save the world if given the chance, because that person who could save everyone would let it pass by them and let everyone perish next to themselves. I myself could not do that, because I could never see any of my friends getting hurt near me, it would just be terrible for me to see.

I wondered if Grover could still read my emotions, mixed up as they were. I was glad he and Annabeth were with me, but i felt guilty that I hadn't been straight with them. I hadn't told them the real reason I'd said yes to this crazy quest. The truth was, I didn't care about retrieving Zeus's lightning bolt, or saving the world or helping my father out of trouble. The more I thought about it, I resented Poseidon for never visiting me, never helping my mom, never even sending a lousy child-support check. He'd only claimed me because he needed a job done. (159)

In this passage, Percy is almost rejecting his god father Poseidon. He does not seem to care for him anymore, but he does have a reason. His dad, though he is very busy god, does not try to make time or any effort towards his family. Additionally, when Poseidon calls to Percy in the need of help, Poseidon did nothing to help out Percy and his family. So, why should Percy help out his dad. It is a very difficult place that Percy is in, however I still think that he should go out and help his father, because the fate of the world rests upon his shoulders.

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. Print.

The Lightning Thief (1-157)

I am currently reading the book The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, a very interesting read to those who love to read about mythology from a child's perspective. This book, though it is a very easy read, has a complex story line about this kid, named Percy Jackson, who is the son of a god and a human, making him a "demi-god."

The chapter titled "I Play Pinochle With A Horse," is one that peeked my interest. The name really intrigued me to read in further about it, just after a long, bland chapter preceded it. At first, when I looked that the title, I became very confused, and almost lost about where the story was going. This one quote though quickly made me even more lost:

I must've woken up several times, but what I heard and saw made no sense, so I just passed out again. I remember lying in a soft bed, being spoon-fed something that tasted like buttered popcorn, only it was pudding. The girl with curly blond hair hovered over me, smirking as she scraped drips off my chin with the spoon. (73)

After being more confused, I kept reading on to finally find out what the title meant. The horse that the title is referring to, is the god of horses, Poseidon. Who is also the father of Percy. Finally, Percy wakes up, and then begins to talk to hims mom. He then finds out from her that his father is Poseidon, the god of the sea and horses. Thus, finally explaining the meaning of the chapter title to me.

Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. Print.