Since receiving the Percy pack gifts from Disney Publishing, The Lightning Thief has made its way back to the forefront of my literary life. I recently began reading it to my grade 5/6 class and they love hearing about the adventures of Percy Jackson.
I have come to realize it is one of the best road trip books out there for kids. So strap in and follow along as we ride with Percy across the USA fighting monsters, saving the world and visiting six states on this cross-country journey.
New York
Our story starts off with Percy and his class visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Here, treasures of ancient Greek culture and masterpieces of visual arts hang on the walls in this historic art museum of New York City. While on a school trip here, Percy is confronted by his devilish teacher Mrs. Dodds, who turns out to be one of Hades’ Furies. Percy defeats the monster but wonders if it was real because no one in the class has any memory of a Mrs. Dodds.
At the start of summer break, Percy and his mother head to Montauk on Long Island for a short vacation. Montauk is known for its prime beach properties and Percy was excited to start his siesta by the sea when Grover, his friend from school, interrupts the trip. Monsters are hunting Percy now Grover tells them and the three flee to Camp Half-Blood, which is also on Long Island. The Minotaur attacks, taking Percy’s mom, but is defeated by Percy. Together Percy and Grover cross the magical borders to Camp Half-Blood. Here in the secluded valley of Long Island, Percy will learn who his mysterious father is Poseidon, God of the Sea and accepts a quest to California with Grover and Annabeth Chase to retrieve the stolen Master Bolt of Zeus from Hades, which is who is suspected of framing Poseidon and Percy.
New Jersey
On their way to California, the quest hits a major bump in the road and delays the trio in New Jersey. The evil Mrs. Dodds and her Furies attack Percy, Annabeth, and Grover on their bus. The Garden State is just a quick visit for Percy. Fleeing Dodd’s and her fellow monsters, they hide in Aunty Em’s Garden Gnome Emporium which is close to the interstate. Recognizing they are in a dangerous situation Percy fights Aunty Em, who happens to be the monster Medusa, and cuts off her head, which allows the group to travel on.
Missouri
With a stopover in St. Louis, Annabeth brings Percy and Grover to the top of the Gateway Arch. Annabeth’s passion for architecture brings Percy into harm. After journeying to the top and enjoying the view of the Mississippi River, Percy encounters the Chimera and Echidna who have been sent to kill him. Percy escapes by jumping from the top to the Mississippi River below. Thankfully, Poseidon’s reach includes fresh water rivers.
Colorado
A short meal at a nondescript diner in Denver leads the three on a side mission for Ares, God of War. They don’t have time to take in an Avalanche or Rockies game. Instead, they must retrieve Ares’ lost shield at the abandoned waterpark, Waterland. Avoiding a trap from Hephaestus, Percy continues to wield his aquatic powers and the three escape with Ares’ shield. As a reward, Ares provides materials and a means of travel for the group.
Nevada
A stop-over in Las Vegas brings the group to the Lotus Hotel and Casino. Free of charge, the group gets a room and money to spend in the hotel. Everywhere Percy looks people are happy, but also seem to be in a daze — this could probably describe many hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. Finally, Percy talks to some other hotel guests only to learn that they all believe it to either be 1977, 1985, and 1993. It seems that when someone enters the Lotus Hotel and Casino, time stops, no one ages, and they never leave. Fortunately, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover flee in time to learn it is still the same year as when they entered but five days have passed, leaving only one day left to complete the quest.
California
Los Angeles holds the gateway to the Underworld. There are no stops at Disneyland, just D.O.A. Recording Studios. Confronting Hades, Percy learns that not only is the Master Bolt missing, but Hades believes that Percy has stolen his Helm of Darkness. No wonder why Hades’ Furies have been trying to kill him. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover escape and make it back to Los Angeles only to learn that in the backpack given to them by Ares, is the Master Bolt of Zeus. Ares had set Percy up. A battle on the Santa Monica Pier results in Percy winning the Helm of Darkness from Ares, which he promptly gives to Hades Furies to return to the Lord of the Underworld.
New York (Again)
The journey is over and the trio make their way back to New York City and the Empire State Building. On the 600th floor of the famed New York Skyscraper is Mount Olympus. Zeus’s anger is placated with the return of the Master Bolt. Hades is cleared of suspicion, as Ares is revealed to be the god who turned. Percy finally gets to talk to his dad Poseidon for the first time.
With peace restored, Percy is welcomed back at Camp Half-Blood and is nearly killed by Luke, his friend from the Apollo cabin. Luke is responsible for all of Percy’s problems. Luke is in service of the rising titan Kronos.
Six states, thousands of miles, countless monsters slain. You have just survived a road trip across America with Percy Jackson. If you thought this was an adventure, you should read book two The Sea of Monsters. It’s always time to #ReadRiordan.