Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Book 1

The Lightning Thief

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction — Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.

Disney Hyperion 0-7868-5629-7 Ages 10+
The sea does not like to be restrained.  - Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief, Chapter One

Hear the first part of the first Percy Jackson book, as read by the author (MP3).

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Notable Awards

  • A New York Times Bestseller
  • Selected for Al Roker's Book Club for Kids, The Today Show
  • A Best Book of 2005, School Library Journal
  • A New York Times Notable Book of 2005
  • A Best Book of 2005, Child Magazine
  • Bluebonnet Award Nominee, 2006, Texas Library Association
  • Askews Torchlight Award (UK) Winner, 2006
  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book List, 2005
  • VOYA Top Shelf Fiction List for 2005
  • ALA Notable Book for 2005
  • More Awards
  • YALSA Best Book for Young Adults 2005
  • Red House Children's Book Award Winner (UK), 2006
  • CCBC choice award 2006, Cooperative Children's Book Center
  • A 2006 Notable Children's Book, National Council for Teachers of English
  • A Publishers Weekly National Children's Bestseller
  • Warwickshire Book Award Winner (UK), 2007