For the Children: Book B

The Summer Challenge starts on 1 June, and 1 June 2010 is International Children's Day.
A.Read a children’s classic book (EXAMPLE: Peter Pan) AND either pass it on, or recommend it to a child (give details when you claim your points).
AND
B. Read any book where a child is the main character. (EXAMPLE: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie)
Both books must be at least 100 pages.

Book Title/Author: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Publisher/Year Published: 2005 by Miramax
Where I got it: Library. A helpful librarian helped me find it actually.
Rating: 3/5 stars

Since I am on a books with Greek gods kick, lets review The Lightening Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackson series. I've heard a lot about this book from people of different ages. The first time I heard about this book was a few years ago from my then 7 or 8 year old cousin. He adored it! Loved the quests and the gods (having never known anything about Greek mythology before this). Putting myself in his place, at 8 years old I was in the mythology club (yes we had one at my grade school) and trying to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology, but being unable to get into it. This book would have been a godsend.

I understand its appeal to a younger audience. Fast paced, scary monsters, winning in the end. But for me reading it as a 23 year old, it's just alright. I enjoyed how the author modernizes the Greek myths and guessing who the gods and monsters were before we were told, but I just couldn't get into it.

Don't get me wrong; it was fun and I'll probably pick up the next book. It just seemed a little too easy. Before his quest, he was struggling, trying to find his way, screwing up. But any time he faced an adversary slash boom dead? I don't buy it. Especially the climax. No one can mature that much in a week.

For kids, thumbs up. I'd give it 4 as an adult rating it for kids. As a kid, I'd have give it s 5. But for me, a 3. It was just too easy. (And I can hear Percy in my head "You think that was EASY?!")

In related notes, I heard the movie was good. I'll have to pick that up soon.