Only For Prof Dan

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http://libraryguides.bennett.edu/home/library-tutorials/mla-style-powerpoint-presentations

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Part A: Introduction to the Novel

Overview of the book.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is an appropriate book for young adults. The book follows the life of Perseus or Percy Jackson who is a 12 year old New Yorker suffering from ADHD and dyslexia. Percy’s world is thrown upside down as he discovers his connection to Greek mythology and in turn the Greek gods.

Author biography.

Rick Riordan is an American author who is known for writing the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series which focuses on a young man who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon. His books have been translated in over 40 languages and he has sold more than 30 million books in the United States alone.

Journal topics.

Journal topics include loss, loneliness, bravery, loyalty and fear in Percy’s situations and how they can be applied in real life.

Discussion questions.

Percy says that he is not normal. Why is Percy not normal? What are his differences? How do his differences help him overcome challenges and situations that a normal person could not have handled?

Percy, his mom, and Grover are attacked by a Minotaur. What does the Minotaur symbolize about the challenges that Percy will be facing? How does the Minotaur symbolize the costs that Percy and those around him will pay as they face challenges?

The novel is fantasy. Why is the novel fantasy rather than science fiction?

Websites.

http://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/

Historical background.

This book centers on Greek mythology with an extra focus on the Greek gods or the 12 Olympians.

Related texts, films. Art and music

The book was adapted into a film that was released in 2010 starring Logan Lerman in the titular role.

Part B: Rationale Paper

Percy Jackson, a 12-year old who is always getting into trouble at school, discovers he is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. He also finds out that his best friend, Grover, is a satyr. Grover takes Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for the children of Olympian gods where they learn to fight the monsters that are trying to destroy them. Percy, Grover and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, go on a quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen thunderbolt. In the process they discover a plot to destroy Western civilization and the Olympians. Their adventure takes them from Hades to Mount Olympus encountering many mythical gods and monsters along the way.

This book should be read by young adults because the plot is quite interesting and there are very many topics within it that are relevant and applicable to the lives of young adults. Percy Jackson is a boy with dyslexia and ADHD. He has a really difficult time with school and getting along with his peers. When we meet Percy, he is at yet another new school, having been kicked out of several prior to the start of his story.

Pretty early on in the book, after he has already disclosed his ADHD diagnosis, he discovers that his father isn't dead - that's just what his mother told him to explain why his dad wasn't around. Turns out, his dad is a Greek god and Percy is a "half-blood". At this point, Percy makes his way to Camp Half-Blood and he meets other kids of other gods. They were all diagnosed with ADHD, too.

At camp, Percy gets a sword and a shield. He gets to play intense games of capture the flag with his fellow half-bloods and, for the first time in his life, he feels successful. He finds reading Greek to be a breeze; he doesn't even need to study the language. Things start to make sense for him.

This book is relevant to young adults because it shows an alternative side to the treatment of ADHD in young adults. Rick Riordan perfectly conveys a narrative where the main character does not undergo intensive medical treatment in order to fit a societal niche. Percy becomes more active and is taken out of a classroom setting, he thrives. Percy isn't forced to conform to the norms of life; his life conforms to the way his brain works.

Just like Percy isn't meant to sit still, behave and do his work quietly, not all of us are either. Desk jobs don't always work out. We need to be out there, doing something interesting, something we can find success with. It's not fun to be a 9-5 pencil pusher when you're not good at it and when it makes you less you. certain criteria or adhere to societal norms.

Within the book, the language is quite simplistic with very few expletives used. Exclamations such as “Thank the gods!” are quite common. Violence is also a central part of the story with many mythical monster attacks in which all monsters are killed. Some of the monsters look like monsters and some of them are disguised to look like humans. Sword fighting and a vicious game of steal the flag.

Adult themes within the book include the fact that the main character’s father is an Olympian god, obviously not married to his mortal mother. There is also talk of adulterous relationships between Olympians and mortals. All of the main characters in the book are children from these god and mortal unions. (Riordan)