The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) (original 2006; edition 2006)

by Rick Riordan (Author)

Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)

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34,189	1276	81	(4.09)	1 / 693
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

▾Book information

Member:	JohnNienart
Title:	The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Authors:	Rick Riordan (Author)
Info:	Disney-Hyperion (2006), Edition: 1, 416 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	ebook, sf, children-and-young-adult, GR2021

Work Information

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2006)

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▾Will you like it?

▾Conversations (About links)

	Group › Topic	Messages	Last Message
	Hogwarts Express: [The Lightning Thief] (with spoilers)	31 unread / 31	KRomana, January 2017

» See also 693 mentions

▾Member reviews

English (1,249) Spanish (7) Portuguese (Portugal) (3) Portuguese (Brazil) (1) Italian (1) French (1) Dutch (1) German (1) All languages (1,264)

date ▼ | votes

Showing 1-5 of 1249 (next | show all)

I found this to be a fun read. I was familiar with enough Greek mythology to recognize characters and guess at some of the story and I thought that some of the ways the old Greek characters were integrated into a modern setting were very clever. It seemed like a good start of the series, and I hope to enjoy the next one as well.

First read and reviewed April 2009 (

)

pinkbookscoffee | Jan 3, 2025 |

This is the first time I'm reading Percy Jackson and it was an interesting read. I'm 27 years old and Adult Fantasy is mostly my go-to genre but sometimes I need a palatte cleanser to read and this book is a part of that.

I watched Percy Jackson movie before and I always liked them very much and I always think why no one likes the movie that much (especially the one's who read the book).

Even before I started this book I watched the movie and liked them but now I can understand why did all those people who read the book hated the movie. It's like movie and book are two entirely things. So many things have been left off in the movie.

I know you can't make a movie with all things on a book but this is leke they cut 75% of everything on the book on the movie.

I hope the tv show Disney is planning will do the book justice. (

)

vigneshvbr | Dec 30, 2024 |

I thought this was a solid start to the series. I've heard so, so much about Rick Riordan's books that I figured it was time to jump on that wagon and read them all. So far, I'm impressed. I laughed out loud at a lot of parts and the reading went really quickly (which I like). The only bad part for me was that I couldn't really connect with Percy, but maybe I'll be able to before the end of the series. We shall see! I would still recommend this book though. 4.5 out of 5 stars. (

)

Beammey | Dec 21, 2024 |

"The Lightning Thief" is an exhilarating blend of Greek mythology and modern-day adventure, with an independent reading level for grades 4th to 8th. Percy Jackson, a relatable and courageous protagonist, takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with humor, heart, and heroic challenges.

Awards:
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2005).
Mark Twain Award (2008).
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (2009).

Aleishak3 | Dec 2, 2024 |

I read this whole series because I like to talk with my kids about the books they are reading. This is the first real series my son is drawn to... Yay! I rather enjoyed it myself! (

)

jodiebc | Dec 1, 2024 |

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Showing 1-5 of 1249 (next | show all)

▾Published reviews

1 review

add a review

thingScore 100

"The Lightning Thief" is perfectly paced, with electrifying moments chasing each other like heartbeats, and mysteries opening out in sequence. The action never feels gratuitous; it draws its depth from the myths at its source.

added by Shortride | editThe New York Times Book Review, Polly Shulman (Nov 13, 2005)

▾Other authors

» Add other authors (11 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Riordan, Rick	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Aguilera Ballester, Libertad	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Baldinucci, Loredana	Traduttore	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Bellis, Anders	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Bernstein, Jesse	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Bollinger, Peter	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Clarén, Marius	Sprecher	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Gouveia, Ricardo	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Haefs, Gabriele	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Kettner, Christine	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Lee, Ellice M.	Cover designer	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Lewis, Walter	Reader	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Meinzold, Max	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Ngai, Victo	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Noordenbos, Marce	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Pracontal, Mona de	Traduction	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Rekiaro, Ilkka	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Scholastic	Publisher	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Villarrubia, Jose	Illustrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Virmavirta, Antti	(Esitt.)	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (1)

Is contained in

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Books 1-3) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Books 1-5) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Books 1-4) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson e gli dei dell'Olimpo. Le origini del mito: Il ladro di fulmini-Il mare dei mostri-La maledizione del titano by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson Demigod Collection (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) by Rick Riordan

(show 2 more)

Percy Jackson Collection. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, the Last Olympian, the Titans Curse, the Sea of Monsters, the Battle of the Labyrinth, the Demigod Files and the Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson Collection. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, the Last Olympian, the Titans Curse, the Sea of Monsters, the Battle of the Labyrinth and the Demigod File

Has the adaptation

Percy Jackson Graphic Novel: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [2010 film] by Chris Columbus

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief [and] Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (Double Feature Video) by Chris Columbus

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Vocal Selections) by Rob Rokicki

(show 1 more)

The Lightning Thief: Original Cast Recording by Rob Rokicki

Is parodied in

The Lightning Fart: A Parody of The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 1) by Steve Lookner

Inspired

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Christophe Beck

Has as a student's study guide

The Lightning Thief - Student Packet by Novel Units, Inc. by Novel Units

The Lightning Thief: Shmoop Bestsellers Guide by Shmoop

Has as a teacher's guide

The Lightning Thief- Teacher Guide by Novel Units, Inc by Novel Units

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

3 Apples Book Award (Winner – Children – 2017)

BILBY: Books I Love Best Yearly (Older Readers – 2011)

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year (2005)

The Children's Book Award (Winner – Older Readers – 2006)

The Children's Book Award (Winner – Overall – 2006)

Colorado Blue Spruce Award (Nominee – 2008)

Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee – 2008)

Georgia Children's Book Award (Winner – Grades 4-8 – 2009)

Golden Archer Award (Nominee – Intermediate – 2009)

Golden Archer Award (Nominee – Middle/Junior High – 2009)

Grand Canyon Reader Award (Winner – Tween – 2008)

Hampshire Book Awards (Shortlist – Hampshire Book Award – 2007)

Iowa Teen Award (Winner – 2009)

Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee – 2008)

Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist – Author of the Year – 2009)

Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist – Author of the Year – 2008)

Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee – 2009)

Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Winner – 6th-8th Grade – 2008)

Maine Student Book Award (Winner – 2007)

Mark Twain Readers Award (Winner – 2008)

Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Winner – 2008)

Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Winner – Division II - Grades 6-8 – 2009)

Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Winner – Meadowlark (Novel) – 2008)

Nutmeg Book Award (Winner – Teen – 2008)

Nutmeg Book Award (Winner – Intermediate – 2008)

Nēnē Award (Winner – 2008)

Nēnē Award (Nominee – 2007, 2008)

Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Winner – Intermediate – 2008)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Winner – Grades 6-8 – 2008)

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Winner – 2009)

Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee – 2007)

Sequoyah Book Award (Winner – Young Adult – 2008)

Soaring Eagle Book Award (Nominee – 2008)

South Carolina Book Awards (Winner – Junior Book Award – 2008)

Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Winner – Grades 6-8 – 2008)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee – 2006)

Utah Beehive Book Award (Winner – Young Adult – 2007)

Virginia Readers' Choice (Winner – Middle School – 2008)

Volunteer State Book Award (Winner – Young Adult – 2009)

Warwickshire Book Award (Winner – UK – 2007)

West Virginia Children's Choice Book Award (Nominee – 2007-2008)

Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Second runner-up – 2009)

Young Hoosier Book Award (Winner – Middle Grade – 2009)

Distinctions

New York Times bestseller (Fiction – 2005)

The New York Times Notable Books of the Year (2005)

Publishers Weekly National Children's Bestseller

Notable Lists

view history

▾Common Knowledge

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For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.

Canonical title

The Lightning Thief

Original title

The Lightning Thief

Alternative titles

Information from the French Common Knowledge. Edit to localize it to your language.

Le voleur de foudre

Original publication date

2005-03-21

People/Characters

Important places

Camp Half-Blood

Mount Olympus

New York, New York, USA

Los Angeles, California, USA

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

(show all 16 items)

Important events

Summer solstice

Second Titan War

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023 | IMDb)

Epigraph

Dedication

To Haley,
who heard the story first

First words

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

This LT work is the first volume (of five) in Rick Riordan's series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Please do not combine it with any other individual title or collection of titles from the series. Thank you.

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

813.6

Canonical LCC

PZ7.R4829

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (4)

Anemoi

List of characters in mythology novels by Rick Riordan

Talaria

The Lightning Thief

▾Book descriptions

After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

▾Library descriptions

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▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

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