Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Review: Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

I just finished reading my first book from the Percy Jackson series. Entertaining at times, predictable at most (from an adult's perspective), but it's definitely an accessible read for G.5-9 readers.

Great issues dealt with: ADHD, dyslexia. The main character has these disabilities, and although they do provide some difficulty for him in succeeding with his mission, they don't impede him, or let him feel like he is not good enough to complete the task.

Not so great issues dealt with: marital problems. Although I can imagine a G. 5-9 reader would skip over this part, Percy's mother's relationship with "Smelly Gabe" is dysfunctional and unconvincing. The argument is that she must live with "Smelly Gabe" in order to protect Percy from being detected by monsters. But I think the real reason is entertainment value; Gabe is basically a comical relief punching bag. Percy's mother "kills" him in the end, though a close reader might miss this (she petrifies him by showing him Medusa's head). Problematic on some levels.

Writing Style is quick, focused, witty, and fast-paced. The plot was forgivingly predictable because I was not bored as I was reading, even though I knew what was going to happen. The characters are well-developed and Percy is so well-shaped I felt like I could meet him.

Thematic issues: to present the Greek gods as gods, Riordan had to come up with some clever ways of incorporating them into our Western culture, while remaining politically correct. The Greek religion is presented as something "older" than Christianity (he compares the Greek sign to the sign of the cross). The Greek religion does, however, supersede Christianity since Percy prays only to his father-greek god for help.

When the main characters arrive in the underworld, Percy expects to find the pearly gates, but the underworld looks more like "a cross between airport security and the Jersey Turnpike." As a Christian reader, I always hesitate about any re-interpretation of the Greek underworld. Objectively, it is simply not heaven, and cannot be since it is ruled by Hades, who is generally described as evil, and not God, who is good. So it is difficult to attempt to compromise, as Riordan does, the two world views. But he manages to find a way:

"But if he's a preacher," I said, "and he believes in a dif-ferent hell... ."
 Grover shrugged. "Who says he's seeing this place the way we're seeing it? Humans see what they want to see. You're very stubborn—er, persistent, that way."

The answer is that some humans "see" a different heaven or hell according to their beliefs. In this way, Riordan accommodates all worldviews of the underworld. All, except, those who disagree with relativism (which is everyone who has a belief).

My feelings about the book are mixed, but I will keep it on the shelf. It's a fun adventure that is engaging, imaginative, and fun to read. It doesn't offer much more than that in terms of life lessons or virtues.


Favourite quote:

"The River Styx," Annabeth murmured. "It's so ..."
 "Polluted," Charon said. "For thousands of years, you humans have been throwing in everything as you come across—hopes, dreams, wishes that never came true. Irresponsible waste management, if you ask me."


Monday, May 11, 2015

Storybooks about Art and Artists




Laurence Anholt's picture book series, "Anholt Artists," tells the stories of art and artists from a child's perspective. In his "The Magical Garden of Claude Monet", we follow Julie as she visits Monet's enchanting garden. The story is based off a real Julie who frequently visited with her dog, "Louie." 
Julie was the daughter of great impressionist Berthe Morisot, and niece of Edouard Manet. And her pet dog was a gift from another famous impressionist, Renoir.

The illustrations of the book mix interpretations of scences from Monet's life, with real presentations of his paintings. There is one spectacular fold-out centre-piece that depicts Monet's lily pond--it garnered a real wow from the students!


Check out the other books in the series:

Leonardo Da Vinci








































Edgar Degas




Pablo Picasso




Vincent Van Gogh

Anholt Artists website: http://www.anholt.co.uk/anholts-artists/