The Lost Hero

We may have read about the adventures of Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods that run Mount Olympus. But what about their Roman counterparts? Now begins a new saga in the world of gods and monsters and hal fbloods. This fast paced novel kick starts the series and tells the story of Jason, Leo, and Piper, three friends who learn that they are the children of the Roman Pantheon. The problem is, they have been rescued by the Greek heroes, the ones they are technically not supposed to get along with. Shortly after the trio arrive at Camp Half-Blood, the three are given a quest to rescue the goddess Hera. Soon, they discover that their enemies are working under the influence of Gaea, and their goal is to completely overthrow the gods. Can Leo, Jason, and Piper come to terms with this new development in their adolescent lives AND save the gods?

## Book Reviews:

**Publisher's Weekly:** "Percy Jackson fans can rest easy: this first book in Riordan's Heroes of Olympus spin-off series is a fast-paced adventure with enough familiar elements to immediately hook those eager to revisit his modern world of mythological mayhem. Clever plot devices-like gods who shift back and forth between their Greek and Roman personae-keep the book from feeling like a retread of Riordan's previous novels. Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students at a wilderness school for troubled teens, are transported to Camp Half-Blood after an unexpected encounter with evil storm spirits on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Not only do they discover that they are the offspring of ancient gods, but they also learn that they are three of seven demigods mentioned in the Great Prophecy uttered by Rachel in The Last Olympian. Wasting little time acclimating to their new lives, the three embark upon a quest to preserve Mt. Olympus and the divine status quo, by rescuing an erstwhile enemy. Rotating among his three protagonists, Riordan's storytelling is as polished as ever, brimming with wit, action, and heart-his devotees won't be disappointed."

http://www.buffalolib.org/vufind/Record/1798032/Reviews

**School Library Journal Review:** "This book will delight fans of The Lightning Thief (Hyperion, 2005) as Percy, Annabeth, and others play roles in the new prophecy and its subsequent quest. A few months after The Last Olympian (Hyperion, 2009) ends, Jason wakes up on a bus filled with problem kids from the Wilderness School who are headed to the Grand Canyon. He has no memory of his previous life, but seems to be with his girlfriend, Piper, and his best friend, Leo. The action takes off quickly: storm spirits attack them and capture their coach, who turns out to be a Satyr. Searching for Percy, who is missing, Annabeth arrives and takes the three to Camp Half-Blood, where they learn that they are demigods. Their parents are gods in their Roman rather than Greek personae. By sunset of the solstice in three days, the teens must rescue Hera, Queen of the gods, or Porphyrion, the giant king created to destroy Zeus and unseat the gods of Olympus, will rise. Their quest takes them across the United States, sometimes flying on a mechanical, 60-foot dragon, as they use their power and wits against Medea, King Midas, and the giant cannibal Enceladus. Riordan excels at clever plot devices and at creating an urgent sense of cliff-hanging danger. His interjection of humor by incongruous juxtaposition-Medea, for example, heads up a New York City department store-provides some welcome relief. The young heroes deal with issues familiar to teens today: Who am I? Can I live up to the expectations of others? Having read the first series is helpful but not essential, and the complex plot is made for sequels."

http://www.buffalolib.org/vufind/Record/1798032/Reviews

## Activities:

Meet the gods and goddesses: Using the link below, learn more about the Greek gods that seem to have taken over the Empire State Building. Once you have learned more about the Greek gods, try and decide which one is your favorite! Write a paragraph on why you like that god or goddess and draw a picture of what you think their cabin would look like.

http://www.rickriordan.com/books/percy-jacksons-world/resources/explore-greek-mythology/meet-the-greek-gods

## Other Links:

Welcome to Camp Jupiter: http://www.rickriordan.com/books/percy-jacksons-world/resources/heroes-of-olympus/a-map-of-camp-jupiter

Interview With The Author: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/the-world-of-percy-jackson-lives-on-in-the-lost-hero/