Book Review #7

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Miramax Books, 2005, 377 pp., $7.99 Fantasy, ISBN: 078685629-7

Like a thief in the night, Percy’s destiny is changed in the split of a second.

Percy Jackson is the main character and leads us through the story as the first-person narrator. At first glance, he appears to be a wise-cracking, trouble maker, who lacks self-control, diagnosed with ADHD, who has attended six schools in six years and discovers he is the son of the Greek God, Poseidon. The reader will definitely brush up on their Greek mythology as they embark upon Percy's journey to retrieve Zeus's master bolt.

"I accidentally vaporize my pre-algebra teacher." In this quote, he thinks he’s actually day dreaming. Little does he know? As we continue to read we determine, Percy is unaware of his true identity as a half-blood until his mother is killed in an unusual way. After losing his mother, he ends up at a summer camp for half-bloods. Through a set of unforeseen circumstances he finds himself leading a quest with two friends Annabeth and Grover. Percy is given ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property to prevent a war. They find themselves on a daring road trip from New York to Los Angeles. The group will face a host of enemies who are determined to stop them. According to the author, in order for him to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief. He must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of failure and betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the Gods themselves.

Teachers might want to incorporate this book into classes where they have boys who are reluctant readers. I think by the main character being a young man the book will welcome them into the world of reading. The age range for this book is 12 to 15.

Interested in other fantasy books you may want to read
J. K. Rowling's, Harry Potter series or Lemony Snicket by
Brett Helquist.

Book Review #8

What They Found: Love on 145th Street
by Walter Dean Myers
Random House Children's Books, 2007, pp243, $15.99,
Adolescent Fiction
ISBN-13: 9780375937095

Walter Dean Myers returns to the world of 145th Street: Short Stories to show how love can be found, and thrive, in the most unlikely places. Myers explores fifteen short stories which explore the fundamental aspects of love. These stories contain humorous words, but the underlying fact is that being poor and black always offers tough situations and choices. Myers’ has created characters which take on dramatic and sensational roles for the reader. He takes on difficult topics like unemployment, the decision to buy a gun, death, violence, war and preteen pregancy. His goal is to capture life, relationships, romance and love in Harlem on 145th street.

It is astounding how the characters use love to overcome life’s experiences and its lessons whether dealing with hope, change, death or pain. For instance, Curtis finds love as he struggles to stay alive in a war he has no desire to fight, Letha discovers her own beauty in the love of her young child. Abeni deals with the trials and tribulations of her dying father who asks her to uphold his wishes upon his death. There is the "good daughter" who realizes there is only one way to help her family overcome a major dilemma. For
on-going daily drama Myers has incorporated the neighborhood beauty shop.

Learning hard lessons in life is difficult for all of us, but this author demonstrates how we can overcome what is put in front of us to the best of our ability. Young readers between the ages of 14 to 17 would enjoy this fiction book of short stories. Middle school teachers can utilize this book as a tool to demonstrate that students are capable of achieving and overcoming life’s disappointments and trials.

Interested in other adolescent fiction books by this author, then check out the following: 145th Street Short Stories and
Street Love