The Sea of Monsters

Riordan, R. (2006). The Sea of Monsters  . New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children.

Interest Level: 6 - 8

Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7

Lexile® measure: 740L

DRA: 50

Guided Reading: S

This is the second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy Jackson is now 13 years old. Percy is playing dodgeball when he is attacked by large seventh graders who turn out to be laistrygonians. Annabeth saves him and brings him back to Camp Half-Blood. When they return they find that Camp Half-Blood is under attack and the tree that protects the camp has been poisoned. They set out on a mission to find the Golden Fleece which will cure the poisoned, and end up in the Bermuda Triangle, AKA the Sea of Monsters. They are kidnapped and must fight for their lives, but will they find the fleece in the Sea of Monsters?

I think that many students would like this book. I would recommend it to anyone who liked Harry Potter, as they are somewhat similar. I think I would recommend to more boys than girls, but girls would certainly enjoy it too. This book is at about a late 4th to early 5th grade reading level, but younger students who are advanced could enjoy this book, as well as striving readers in older grades. I think particularly that striving readers would enjoy this book because they could connect with Percy's struggles in school. 

Though this is a fantasy story, the characters, setting, and plot are completely believable. Percy overcomes many struggles and grows a lot in the book which keeps the reader very connected to him. Percy went from being kicked out of every school he attended, to accepting his powers and duties as a demigod. This was a very good story that I would recommend for students in my classroom.

Literary Elements highlighted in the text:

Allusion: Though the text is not explicit in talking about Greek mythology, it certainly alludes to it very often.