Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

by Rick Riordan

About the book:

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

About the author:

Rick Riordan is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series for children and the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults. For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

His adult fiction has won the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. His short fiction has appeared in Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.

His Percy Jackson series features a twelve-year-old dyslexic boy who discovers he is the modern-day son of a Greek god. The Lightning Thief was a New York Times Notable Book for 2005. Film rights have been purchased by Twentieth Century Fox and a feature film is in development. The Sea of Monsters was a Child Magazine Best Book for Children for 2006 and a Publishers Weekly and BookSense national bestseller. The third title, The Titan’s Curse, made the series a #1 New York Times bestseller, and the fourth title, The Battle of the Labyrinth, had a first printing of one million copies. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller. Film rights for The 39 Clues have been purchased by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks.

Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and two sons.

Author interview:

1. You left the door open a crack for a new series featuring half-bloods. Can your fans look forward to a new series?
2. How has writing the Percy Jackson books changed you as a writer?
3. What do you hope kids take away from reading this series?

Discussion Guide:

1. Describe what happens aboard the Princess Andromeda. What choice did Beckendorf make? Why? What’s the most difficult choice you’ve ever made?
2. “All I knew was that I was supposed to make a decision that would decide the fate of the world—but no pressure.” How would you feel about having this prophecy hang over your head? Would you try to avoid decisions or go boldly in to them?
3. Would you want to visit Poseidon’s palace? What would be the best part of being immortal? What would be the worst? What are the challenges and rewards of being a half-blood?
4. Discuss the major conflicts Percy faces in the novel. Which ones seem insurmountable? How does he handle the pressure? Where do you think he should focus his skills and resources?
5. Why are things so intense at Camp Half-Blood? What qualities in the campers are making cooperation even more difficult? Would you rather have gone to the Caribbean with Rachel?
6. Why do you think Percy needed to meet Hestia and get his mom’s blessing? Percy is putting his trust in Nico, son of Hades. Do you think this is a wise idea? How do you know whom to trust?
7. Why is Nico willing to trick Percy just for information? Why is it necessary to show how all the gods are divided about the conflict? How does this set Percy up to be the hero? Would you want to be the hero or not? Why?
8. Why does Percy bathe in the River Styx? How does he keep his mortality in tact? What does this tell us about Annabeth? What is your Achilles heel? Who would you trust to know what it is?
9. Hestia tells Percy that he must understand the family of his enemy to defeat them. Do you agree with this? Why would this be important?
10.  As Percy prepares for battle with Kronos he takes stock of his assets and weaknesses. What powers, weapons and creatures (Mrs. O’Leary, perhaps) would you most like to have on your side for a mythical-sized battle for Mt. Olympus?
11.  Describe the battle for Williamsburg Bridge. Which part was most exciting? How does Annabeth once again prove her loyalty to Percy?  Do you have someone in your life that would take the knife for you?
12. Why had Hades cursed the Oracle of Delphi? Do you blame him? Why does he not blame Zeus himself? Do you think Percy should tell Nico what happened to his mother or not?
13. Why do you think Prometheus offers Pandora’s pithos to our hero? Do you think Percy would ever open it? Would you be able to leave it closed? What would happen if he did open it?
14.  Does Luke deserve pity or rage? When do people become responsible for overcoming whatever happened to them as children? When does a tragic childhood become an excuse? How could being soft on Luke prove fatal for Annabeth and Percy?
15. What was May Castellan’s fate? If you were given the opportunity to see the future would you do it?  Would you accept a quest from the oracle?
16.  Percy and his cohorts battle a series of monsters and gods. Which scene is your favorite? What does Riordan do to create such exciting action sequences? How can you apply this to your own writing?
17.  Dionysis explains to Percy that if Olympus fails…“Art, law, wine tastings, music, video games, silk shirts, black velvet paintings—all the things that make life worth living will disappear.” What would be on your list? Why do the gods need humans and heroes?
18.  Why did Silena Beauregard lead the Ares cabin into battle with the drakon? What was the result? How did she set things right by her willingness to join the fray? How does Clarisse take the discovery?
19.  Describe Percy’s plan for the final battle between Kronos and the half-bloods. How does Poseidon help? What other gods come to help in the battle? In the end, what is the choice that the prophecy spoke of? Who is the hero?
20.  How do the Olympians reward Percy, Annabeth, Grover and the other half-blood heroes for their service? What is the fate of Rachel? Who do you think gets the best reward? Why doesn’t Percy accept his? Would you?

Projects:

Language Arts:

Reading:

As you read create a cause and effect graphic organizer based on the choices that characters make along the path to the final battle. Use this as a springboard to your discussions.

Writing:

Riordan set up a new quest with Rachel’s first prophecy. Write the first battle the seven half-bloods face.

Art:

Draw, paint or sculpt one of the monsters that Percy and his comrades face during the battle for Mt. Olympus based on the description from the book and your excellent imagination.

Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Titan’s Curse

By Rick Riordan

About the book:

When Percy Jackson gets an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he will need his powerful demigod allies, Annabeth and Thalia, at his side, his trusty bronze sword Riptide, and . . . a ride from his mom.
The demigods rush to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two powerful half-bloods whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The titan lord Kronos has devised his most treacherous plot yet, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.
They're not the only ones in danger. An ancient monster has arisen -- one rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus -- and Artemis, the only goddess who might know how to track it, is missing. Now Percy and his friends, along with the Hunters of Artemis, have only a week to find the kidnapped goddess and solve the mystery of the monster she was hunting.
Along the way, they must face their most dangerous challenge yet: the chilling prophecy of The Titan's Curse.

About the guide:

This guide includes discussion questions and projects intended to extend the use of the novel into classrooms, book clubs, and literature circles. It should promote discussion on the themes of the novel including friendship, adventure, choices, fate, sacrifice, revenge, and hope.

About the author:

Rick Riordan is the multi-award-winning author of the Tres Navarre mystery series for adults and the national bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series for children.

For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

Discussion Guide:

1. Explain how the heroes of the story all come together at Grover Military Academy. What is the result of this episode and how does it set up Percy’s quest for the whole novel? Which goddess is involved in the battle?
2. Why does Bianca make the choice to become a huntress of Artemis? Do you know anyone who would be willing to make this choice? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this decision?
3. Who is in charge of Camp Half-Blood? Why was he sent there as punishment? Describe the location and purpose of the camp.
4. Why are Percy’s nightmares an important aspect of the story? What two things do they reveal? Would you like to receive information this way or would you be able to trust its meaning?
5. Explain in your own words the prophecy of the Oracle. Make predictions about who you think will succumb to the threats listed there. Do you think the heroes completely understand the prophecy or not?
6. How does Percy join the quest? Is he originally supposed to be on it? Why not? What promise does Nico exact from Percy before he leaves on the quest?
7. What trap does Artemis fall into because of her weakness? What flaw or weakness would someone be able to exploit in you? Are all people fatally flawed?
8. Describe the major events in Washington, D.C. With whom and where do they battle? What is Luke’s goal? How does in conflict with Percy’s? What reward does Percy take away from this battle?
9. Which monsters in the novel are your favorites? Which one would frighten you most? Why? What types of transportation do the heroes use in this novel? Which one would be your favorite way to get around?
10. What happens in the junkyard? Would you be willing to sacrifice your own life to save a friend? How did she make this decision? What brave thing did she do?
11. While the Olympians offer guidance and occasionally a cool weapon they do not get directly involved in the quests of mere mortals. Why?  What would happen if the gods and goddesses were always involved in these battles?
12. How was Thalia tempted by power? Do you think most people could resist ultimate power or not? Why?
13. Which heroes in the Greek Myths never gave credit to the women who helped them? Do you think Percy would do something similar or not? What act proves that he is different than the demigods that came before him?
14. Who is The General? To whom is he related? How does this prove fateful for one of the quest’s heroes? What is The General’s burden? What two people carry it for a time?
15. In the end, what happens on the Mountain of Despair? What results from this battle? Who must Percy disappoint? How does he take the news? Does this set up conflict for the next book? How?

Projects:

Music:

Create an I-pod playlist for Percy and his hero friends that will inspire them  throughout the book. In a short journal explain why you chose particular songs to represent specific scenes or battles in the story.

Social Studies:

Read at least two different versions of a single Greek Myth (Persephone and Demeter for example). Then, create a venn diagram to compare the details of the two stories.

Or-

Using a map of the United States trace the timeline of the book and mark major events from the plot of The Titan’s Curse.

Science:

Dr. Chase, Annabeth’s mortal father, reconfigured celestial bronze into bullets. Research the properties of one element off the periodic table of the elements and then design a weapon for Percy, Thalia, Annabeth, or Grover. What qualities of the element would be best exploited for its use? Would it have any weaknesses?

Or-

Many of the Greek Myth monsters are combinations of real animals and mythical ones. These combined creatures make ferocious opponents! Design your own Greek Myth monster by combining an actual animal with qualities of a mythical beast. Be sure to turn in both your description and an illustration of your beast.

Art:

Choose your favorite Olympian and then design the perfect home for them. What qualities would be necessary to insure your god or goddesses ultimate comfort? What requirements would be necessary to meet their massive appetite for wine, say, or their knack for starting trouble. You can use whatever materials you like to bring this project to life but be as detailed as possible.

This guide was created by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, a reading specialist and author of Reaching for Sun from Bloomsbury. Visit her website to find hundreds of guides to children’s literature.

Cont. next page…
Language Arts:

Fill out the following prediction guide chart as you read The Titan’s Curse. Each prediction should be based on facts gleaned from the story, your knowledge of story structure, and your understanding of the Greek Myths.

Chapter	Major Events	Predictions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

On the back write a prediction for the next book in the Percy Jackson series.

Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

About the book:

Percy Jackson’s seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set food on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get … well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy’s friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.

In this fresh, funny, and action-packed follow-up to The Lightening Thief, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family- one that makes him wonder whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor, or simply a cruel joke.

About the author:

Rick Riordan is a former middle school teacher and the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: The Lightening Thief. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre mysteries. He lives in San Antonia, Texas, with his wife and two sons.

Author Interview:

1. What was your process for writing the 2^nd book? Did it differ greatly from your first book, The Lightening Thief?
2. Why do you think the Greek Myths have endured the ages? When did you first become fascinated with them?
3. Your hero, Percy Jackson, must straddle two worlds, the human and the mythical. Why did you decide to make him half-human?
4. What’s the best part about writing for kids? Do you miss being in the classroom?
5. What authors and stories have most influenced your work?

About the guide:

This guide includes discussion questions and projects intended to extend the use of the novel into classrooms, book clubs, and literature circles. It should promote discussion on the themes of the novel including friendship, heroism, family, hubris, betrayal, and identity.

Pre-reading:

Did you read The Lightening Thief? Do you remember how it ended? What did Percy learn through his last quest? What do you think he will have to face in this novel? Does the title give you any clues? Do you think he will be successful?

Discussion Guide:

1. Describe Percy Jackson. Why must he change schools each year? What problems does he have in his academic life? How do these same qualities help him as a demi-god? What are his unique skills and abilities? What are his weaknesses?

2. What is Percy’s relationship to Grover? Why is he willing to risk everything to rescue him? Would you for a friend? What does this tell us about Percy’s character? Do you think he would be as brave if he didn’t know who his father was? Why or why not?

3. How is Tyson treated at Meriwether Prep? Why? How is he different? Is he treated better at camp? Do their pre-conceived opinions have any validity? Is this different from any other kind of prejudice? Why or why not? How is his parentage a source of embarrassment for Percy?

4. Describe the various battles from the novel. Which one did you find the most exciting? Why? Which monster had the best description? Whose powers impressed you most? Why? Which tools described would you most like to have at your disposal?

5. Why is the camp in danger? How had it been protected before? Could the magic be restored? What would need to be done to insure the safety of the half-bloods? Who was a nemesis to the camp? Why? What do they hope to accomplish?

6. What is a quest? Why is Clarisse given one instead of Percy? Who helps Percy begin his quest without permission? Why? How do the goals of that god and Percy’s conflict? How is it resolved? Who else joins him on his quest? What do they learn from each other?

7. Although Tyson has some definite drawbacks to his personality and appearance he also has special skills and abilities. What are they? How does he overcome what others think of him? Is his finest ability those things he can create with his hands or his loyalty? If you could only have one these which would you choose? How does he surprise everyone in the novel?

8. The novel is full of interesting details that bring both characters and settings to life. What details were your favorites? Why? Which mythical creature described in the book would you least like to meet in person? Why? Have you ever heard of any of these creatures before? Were you surprised to learn that they were from Greek mythology?

9. What is Chrion’s prophecy? Why do the gods not want Percy to know about it? How can knowing the prophecy affect his choices? Would you want to know? Why or why not? How does the prophecy protect him from Kronos and the other gods? Why won’t they just kill him and foil the prophecy?

10. Who is Luke? What are his plans? What do you think he will try to do in the next novel in the series? Do you think our heroes will be able to stop him? Will Kronos continue to gain power? In the end, who else becomes part of the prophecy? Why?

11. Describe the scene where Annabeth and Percy encounter the Sirens. What are they? What do they reveal about someone? What does Annabeth learn about herself? What do you think Percy would learn? What do you think would be revealed to you? What is hubris?

12. Does Percy’s story encourage you to study the original Greek myths? Why or why not? Why do you think the myths and the characters within them have survived through the millennia? What can writers today still learn from these stories?

Projects:

Language Arts:

Visualizing:

While reading a chapter highlight (or use sticky note flags) words or phrases that really helped you get a picture in your mind of what was happening in the story. In at least two places create predictions of what you think might happen on later in the story based on what you just read.

Art:

Create a 3D scene from the story. You can use any materials you like but try to get as many details from the scene incorporated into your art.

Music:

Choose classical music that would work as a background to a particular battle scene in the story. In a short journal explain why you picked this piece.

Social Studies:

Create a chart which organizes the following information: character’s name, child of whom, special powers, tools of choice, goal, and Affiliation (Kronos or Olympus).