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.

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).

The Lightening Thief

The Lightening Thief
by Rick Riordan

 Discussion Questions

1.      Percy has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The main traits of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The ADHD child often has trouble keeping his mind on one thing and organizing a task. He feels restless and fidgety. He may blurt out comments or act without thinking. Does this profile fit Percy? Discuss how Percy does/does not seem like an ADHD child.

2.      Percy says, “Mr. Brunner expected me to be as good as everybody else, despite the fact I had dyslexia and I had never made above a C- in my life. No – he didn’t expect me to be as good. He expected me to be better.” What do you think of Mr. Brunner as a teacher?

3.      When describing his mother, Percy says, “She’s the best person in the world, which just proves my theory that the best people get the rottenest luck.” How does this apply to Percy’s mom? Is this theory true in life? In the Greek myths?

4.      Percy gets exasperated with his mother because she puts up with Smelly Gabe, yet he is proud of her because “she did have a rebellious streak, like me.” Do you find Sally Jackson a strong character? Does she stand up for herself? For her son?

5.      Percy’s first encounter with an Olympian god is Mr. D, Dionysus. Initially, Percy has a hard time believing Mr. D is immortal. What is your reaction to the way Dionysus is portrayed in the book? The Greek gods have very human traits – would this make them easier or harder to believe in?

6.      Chiron describes Western Civilization as “a living force. A collective consciousness that has burned bright for thousands of years.” He says the Greek gods are part of this, and move around as different nations become the central power of Western Civilization – Greece, Rome, Germany, France, England, the United States. What do you think of this idea? Is “the West” a clearly identifiable cultural force?

7.      Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. Read the description of Athena in this guide. Look at some of the myths about Athena, including the stories of Arachne, Medusa and the founding of Athens. How is Annabeth like her mother? Does anything about Annabeth’s character strike you as unlike Athena?

8.      After Percy learns he is a half-blood, he wonders who his own father is. He also learns that some half-bloods never find out. He says, “I thought about some of the kids I’d seen in the Hermes cabin – teenagers who looked sullen and depressed, like they were waiting for a call that would never come. I’d known kids like that at Yancy Academy, shuffled off to boarding school by rich parents who didn’t have the time to deal with them. But gods should behave better.” How would you feel if you were in Percy’s place? Would it be easier to believe your father was dead, or to know that he was alive but not communicating with you?

9.      When Percy finally learns the truth that he is the son of Poseidon, are you surprised? What hints are dropped before the revelation? How does Percy’s personality fit/not fit the god Poseidon?

10.  Throughout the book, humor is used to counterbalance the serious situations Percy faces. For instance, the Minotaur wears white Fruit-of-the-Loom underwear, and Percy wants to tell the mummified Oracle, “thanks, wrong door, just looking for the bathroom.” What’s your reaction to the book’s humor? Does it seem appropriate for a sixth-grade narrator? Does it change your perception of the mythology?

11.  When describing the effects of Mist, Chiron says, “Remarkable, really, the lengths humans will go to fit things into their version of reality.” How is this true in the novel? In Greek mythology? In real life?

12.  Medusa tempts Percy to stay with her as a statue. She warns him that he is simply a pawn of the Gods. Does Percy seem like a pawn? Why or why not? If you were given Percy’s quest, would you undertake it or would you rebel?

13.  Read Grover’s account of the search for Pan in chapter 12. Percy wonders if this is a hopeless quest, trying to reclaim the spirit of the wilderness. Do you think the search for Pan is an appropriate metaphor for modern man’s relationship with nature? Is “the wild” being lost forever?

14.  Dreams play an important role in the narrative. At Montauk, Percy first dreams of a horse and eagle fighting on the beach. Later, he dreams of a voice from the pit. As he gets closer to Los Angeles, his dreams get scarier and more specific. What would the book be like without these dream episodes? Is there information that Percy can only get from his dreams?

15.  Percy’s fight with Echidna and the Chimera is a low point for his morale. He begins to doubt that he is capable of being a hero. Why does he feel this way, and do you think his doubts are reasonable? What does this fight scene reveal about Percy’s character?

16.  The god Ares says he loves America. He calls it “the best place since Sparta.” What does he mean? Do you think this is a fair critique of American society? Why or why not?

17.  The Lotus Casino in Las Vegas is a modern-day version of the Land of the Lotus Eaters, which Odysseus visited on his way back from Troy. Read the original version from The Odyssey. How do the two accounts differ? Is the danger Odysseus faced similar to the danger faced by Percy and his friends? Is society today more dominated by “Lotus Eaters”?

18.  As the book progresses, we learn more about Annabeth’s family life, and her unhappy history with her father. How does this compare with Percy’s own family? How does this help the two half-bloods overcome their mutual distrust?

19.  Read the modernized description of the Underworld in Ch. 18 – the EZ Death line, the security ghouls, the pollution in the River Styx. What do you think of this portrayal of the afterlife? Percy says Asphodel makes him depressed because “so few people did good in their lives.” Do you think believing in paradise and punishment makes people more likely to do good deeds? What do you think of the Greek concept of Asphodel, a neutral area where most of the dead are sent to do nothing for eternity?

20.  Percy’s trip to the Underworld does not turn out as he suspected. What do you think of Percy’s decision to leave his mother behind? What does the scene in the throne room tell you about the three friends – Annabeth, Grover and Percy?

21.  When Percy finally meets his father, Poseidon seems distant and hard to read. Percy says that he is actually glad about this. “If he’d tried to apologize, or told me he loved me, or even smiled – that would’ve felt fake. Like a human dad, making some lame excuse for not being around.” Do you agree with Percy? Do you find yourself liking Poseidon or not?

22.  How does the last line of the prophecy – you shall fail to save what matters most in the end – come true? What do you think of this ending? Did Percy make the right choice? What would you have done in his place?

23.  In the end of the book, do you sympathize at all with Luke’s feelings of betrayal? How does his story act as a foil (a counterpoint) to Percy’s own?

 About the Author

Rick Riordan spent fifteen years as a classroom teacher in public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 1997, he began publishing mystery novels for adults. His popular Tres Navarre series has won the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus.

He began The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his son. The novel draws on Riordan’s experience teaching Greek mythology and his interaction with students who have learning differences. It is his first work for young readers.

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

A Talk with Rick Riordan
Q. Where did you get the idea for Percy Jackson?
A. My son was studying the Greek myths in second grade when he asked me to tell him some bedtime stories about the gods and heroes. I had taught Greek myths for many years at the middle school level, so I was glad to do it. When I ran out of myths, he was disappointed and asked me if I could make up something new with the same characters.
Off the top of my head, I made up Percy Jackson and his quest to recover Zeus' lightning bolt in modern-day America. It took about three nights to tell the whole story, and when I was done, my son told me I should write it out as a book.

Q. You were a teacher for a long time. Why did you leave the classroom?
A. That was a hard decision. I love teaching. I love working with kids. After I finished the first Percy Jackson book, I didn't think I'd be able to keep writing a book a year and do a good job in the classroom, so I made the reluctant decision to leave teaching.
The good part is I still get to work with kids as a children's author. Hopefully, I'll be able to get even more kids interested in reading Greek mythology.
Q. Did you share the Percy Jackson novel with any of your students before it was published?
A. My nine-year-old son was the first one to hear to story, but I also wanted to be sure it would interest older kids. I picked a few of my sixth, seventh and eighth graders and asked them if they'd be willing to "test drive" the novel.  I was nervous! I'm used to showing my work to adults, but I had no idea if kids would like Percy. I finally understood what it must be like for them, turning in an essay to me and waiting to get their grades back! Fortunately for me, the kids loved the book.
Q. Any advice for young people who might want to be writers?
A. Don't be afraid to ask for help! Find a teacher you respect. Correspond with authors. You will find that a polite email will almost always get a response.
Secondly, read a lot! Read everything you can get your hands on. You will learn the craft of writing by immersing yourself in the voices, styles, and structures of writers who have gone before you.
Thirdly, write every day! Keep a journal. Jot down interesting stories you heard. Write descriptions of people you see. It doesn't really matter what you write, but you must keep up practice. Writing is like a sport -- you only get better if you practice. If you don't keep at it, the writing muscles atrophy.
Finally, don't get discouraged! Rejection is a part of writing, and it hurts. The trick is to keep at it. Wallpaper your room with rejection notes, if you want, but don't give up.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan About the book: Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest though the Labyrinth—a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this latest book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet. About the author: Rick Riordan is also the author of the previous books in the New York Times #1 best-selling series Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book One: The Lightening Thief; Book Two: The Sea of Monsters; and Book Thee: The Titan’s Curse. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. To learn more about Rick visit his website at www.rickriordan.com Pre-reading: Where did our heroes leave off in The Titan’s Curse?  What would you tell someone about the Percy Jackson series if you wanted to them to check it out? Questions to consider: Describe what happens at Percy’s new school? Why is it complicated by his mom? Why does he admit to Rachel his true identity? Summarize important facts that a reader of the series needs to know in order to understand it. Which details from the Greek Myths are your favorite in the story? Why do you think Annabeth is so worried about the prophecy? Why is she leading this quest into the Labyrinth? Would you be willing to go? Why or why not? What major obstacles (monsters, etc.) do the heroes face inside the Labyrinth? Which is the most frightening to you? Who must they find on their journey? Why? How does the setting of this adventure differ from the other Percy Jackson books? Why is setting such an important element to the story? Why do you think Riordan plays with the location of Olympus and other ancient locales? Which setting is your favorite from the Percy Jackson series? Why? Why do you think the myth of Icarus and Deadalus is included in the novel? How does it show us what Daedulus is capable of? In the end, does Deadalus change the most or Percy? What offer does Percy make with Geryon? How is he able to complete the task? Why does he have it even harder than Heracles did? Grove meets his hero, Pan. How does this meeting go differently than he had planned? What does he learn? Does this make any connections for you with the environmental movement or being green?How is Grover changed by the experience? When does it come into play?  Explain what the Labyrinth is exactly. Why is it so difficult? What tools help?  In chapter ten the heroes run into the Sphinx who has dropped her traditional riddles for a list of inane facts which Annabeth says “an insult to her intelligence.” How is Riordan making a commentary on high stakes testing in public schools with this scene? Is he poking fun?  Describe how Percy ends up on Ogygia? Who does he meet? Why is it a torture for her to be at that amazing location? Would you stay or go? Why?  Why does Rachel’s help become necessary to guide them through the Labyrinth? What do they run into on the way? How do the heroes escape? Would you trust this invention or not? How does Deadalus try to cheat death? Have there been any other inventions that have the same goal?  What happens to camp Half-Blood? Do you think the heroes will face even more challenges with Kronos’s army? What do you think will happen in the next story?   Which book in the series is your favorite so far? Why? What do you think are the qualities of a good series? Which character would you like to eat lunch with and interview for the school newsletter? Why? Projects: Language Arts: Write a letter to Percy Jackson about his adventures. Explain which parts of his story is your favorite and why. Think of important questions you’d like to ask him too!  Reading: Read another version of Icarus and Deadalus or a myth with the Sphinx and then create a venn diagram comparing the story featuring these characters in Riordan’s books to a more traditional portrait. Art: Design a WANTED poster for one of the villains or monsters in the story. Be sure to add details about their appearance and their last known location too. Science: Study the elements of flight. What does it take to build a contraption that can actually stay aloft? Build the perfect paper airplane based on what you learn and have a contest to see who could apply that knowledge best.