Description:

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

About the Author:

Rick Riordan grew up in Texas and spent many years teaching middle school English and history before writing became his full-time work. His background in the classroom shaped his sense of pacing, humor, and character—he wrote for the students he knew, especially those who struggled to find books that felt alive to them. His breakthrough came with the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, inspired in part by bedtime stories he invented to help his son connect with mythology.

Before fantasy took over his career, Riordan wrote award-winning mysteries for adults, and that early discipline shows in his plotting: clear stakes, tight structure, and a storyteller’s instinct for momentum. As he expanded into Norse, Egyptian, and other mythological frameworks, he kept his signature blend of accessibility, wit, and heartfelt character work. He continues to support emerging writers and works closely with educators, always aiming to keep myth, imagination, and adventure within reach of young readers.