Archive for June, 2011
June 28th, 2011 | 
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The Lost Hero
The Lost Heroes of Olympus: Book One
by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney - Hyperion Books
Publication Date: 10/12/2010
ISBN: 9781423113393
Review By: Toni Rakestraw
Our family really enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, so we thought we’d dive into the next series featuring the demi-gods of Camp Halfblood. We read them aloud so everyone can enjoy them, one chapter at a time.
At first, the three different points of view threw me a little. Throughout the book, we get two chapters from Jason, two from Piper and two from Leo, pretty much in that order. I got used to it; in the end, I can see why the author wanted the story presented from all three viewpoints. It was effective, even though it took awhile to get used to.
Jason, Piper and Leo are the new kids on the block at Camp Halfblood, so of course they immediately are chosen to go on a quest. Jason’s storyline is leading to more in the next few books… he grew up with the Roman deities, which, while they are based on the Greek, they have slightly different aspects. This doesn’t become clear until you get well into the book. As a son of Jupiter (otherwise known as Zeus), he has a lot on his shoulders. Yes, that’s right. Poseidon and Hades weren’t the only ones to break that pact back in the Percy Jackson books. Admit it, are you really that surprised?
What makes this interesting is that Hera (or Juno, in the Roman), must work with Jason in this book, and we all know how she feels about Zeus’ shenanigans.
Piper is the troubled daughter of a movie star. This leads to some interesting situations. I thought it was great to have a daughter of Aphrodite finally be more than a primping beauty queen. There is nothing giggly about Piper.
Leo had a hard life from the start. Luckily, as a son of Hephaestus, he knows how to get the job done. He really grows a lot in this book; I look forward to seeing how he turns out.
The book takes you on an interesting journey as you meet many of Greek mythology’s most famous characters, like King Midas and Medea. I won’t spoil the story by elaborating on all the amazing updates these and other characters have made through Riordan’s pen. Suffice it to say that this book is full of adventure, lots of laughs, and some surprises.
If your kids like adventure, they’ll love this book. If you like the fun adventures that are only available in Young Adult literature, you’ll enjoy it, too. I give it a full five stars from our house.
Disclosure Statement: I did not get anything for reviewing this book. My daughter bought it so we could all enjoy it.
Toni Rakestraw has been writing and editing for over 15 years. Learn more about what editing can do for you at Unbridled Editor.
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The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black
The Young Inventors Guild: Book One
By Eden Unger Bowditch
Publisher: Bancroft Press
Publication Date: 03/15/2011
ISBN: 9781610880022
A book about science is a welcome novelty at a time when most juvenile fiction centers around magic and witchcraft. The Atomic Weight of Secrets is the first in a trilogy about five brilliant scientists, who just happen to be kids.
They are taken from their equally brilliant parents and brought to a farm in America by the men in black. These men in black are bizarrely attired in black bunny ears, or tutus, or furry coats and flippers, as though they went shopping at Value Village and grabbed all the black clothing and costumes to randomly mix and match for their wardrobes.
The children do not know why they have been taken by these weirdly dressed men. They don’t know why they haven’t heard from their parents. Nor do they know if their parents are safe or in danger.
Faced with all these uncertainties, the children decide they must escape the men in black, and rescue their parents. In order to do so, they will need to combine their brilliant minds and invent something spectacular.
The story is well-told and entertaining, with a great deal of mystery and suspense cut with anticipation of the next appearance of the men in black and their fantastic costumes.
As the first book in the Young Inventor’s Guild series, this book resolves little. The few things that do get accomplished by the children seem to be done for them rather than by them in the end. However, the mystery and storyline are strong enough to create a good deal of anticipation for the second book in the series, in hopes there are more answers to be found there.
