Chapter Summaries and Analysis

Section 1: Chapters 1-7 (Isabella)

In chapter 1, We are introduced to Percy Jackson, a troubled 12-year-old boy who has been expelled from yet another school. Percy suffers from dyslexia and ADHD, which makes it difficult for him to focus in class. He also experiences strange events that often lead to him getting into trouble. One day, during a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Percy is attacked by a Fury, a monster sent by the gods to punish those who break their oaths. Percy is saved by his Latin teacher, Mr. Brunner, who reveals himself to be a centaur and takes Percy to Camp Half-Blood. Percy is introduced to Grover Underwood, a satyr and his protector, who takes him to Camp Half-Blood. Along the way, they encounter Medusa, a gorgon who turns people into stone, and are saved by Annabeth Chase, a demigod and daughter of Athena. The trio finally reaches Camp Half-Blood, where Percy is claimed by Poseidon, making him a demigod son of Poseidon. Percy trains and learns about the world of demigods and the gods. He meets new friends, including Clarisse, daughter of Ares, and Luke, son of Hermes. Percy also learns about the Lightning Thief, a person who stole Zeus’ lightning bolt, causing a rift between the gods and putting the world in danger. Percy and Annabeth go on a quest to retrieve a Golden Fleece, which has the power to heal Thalia's Pine Tree, the magical barrier that protects Camp Half-Blood. They are joined by Grover and are aided by the deity, Dionysus, the god of wine and theater. On their journey, they face challenges and monsters, and Percy discovers his ability to control water.

Chapter 5 introduces Percy’s mother, Sally Jackson, and his stepfather, Gabe Ugliano. Percy finds out that his mother is in danger and goes to rescue her, with the help of Annabeth and Grover. They travel to the Underworld and are aided by Hades, the god of the dead, who gives them a deal to retrieve the Lightning Bolt in exchange for Percy’s mother’s safety. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover set out on their journey to retrieve the Lightning Bolt. They visit the Oracle of Delphi and are given a prophecy that hints at Percy’s destiny and the danger that lies ahead. Along the way, they encounter several challenges and monsters, and Percy learns about his powers as a demigod.

Chapter 7 ends with Percy, Annabeth, and Grover finally reaching Mount Olympus, where they meet Zeus and the other gods. Zeus accuses Percy of stealing the Lightning Bolt and Percy is given a trial to prove his innocence. The chapter ends with Percy, Annabeth, and Grover setting out on a new quest to find the true thief and clear Percy’s name.

In summary, the first seven chapters of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief introduce us to the world of demigods, Camp Half-Blood, and Percy’s journey to becoming a demigod. We are introduced to several important characters, including Percy’s friends and family, and are given a glimpse into the challenges and adventures that Percy will face as he sets out on his quest to retrieve the Lightning Bolt and clear his name.

Section 2: Chapters 8-14 (Isabella)

In this chapter, Percy and Annabeth are taken to the training arena for the campers, called the War Games. The War Games is an annual competition where the campers from different cabins compete against each other in different challenges and obstacles. Percy and Annabeth are assigned to different teams and have to compete against each other. During the competition, Percy discovers that the weapons they are using are real, and they could kill each other. This makes him uneasy, but he decides to push through and try his best. The next challenge in the War Games is the Chariot Race, where Percy and Annabeth have to race each other on chariots pulled by horses. Percy is teamed up with Grover, who is not a very good charioteer. Annabeth is paired with Clarisse, who is an expert charioteer. Percy and Grover have a difficult time keeping their chariot on track and are constantly being thrown off. Eventually, they manage to finish the race and win, thanks to Grover's fast thinking. The next challenge in the War Games is the Treasure Hunt, where Percy and Annabeth have to find a hidden treasure in the woods. Percy and Annabeth are given different clues, and they both race to find the treasure. Percy has a difficult time figuring out the clues, but he eventually finds the treasure and wins the competition.

The next challenge in the War Games is the Burning Labyrinth, where Percy and Annabeth have to find their way through a maze filled with traps and obstacles. Percy has to rely on his instincts to find his way through the maze, and he eventually makes it to the end and wins the competition.

The final challenge in the War Games is the Final Battle, where Percy and Annabeth have to fight against each other in a one-on-one battle. Percy is nervous about fighting Annabeth, but he eventually makes it through the battle and wins. The War Games come to an end, and Percy and Annabeth are both declared the winners. After the War Games, Percy is taken to the Oracle, a powerful spirit that can tell the future. The Oracle tells Percy that he will have to make a choice that will determine the fate of the world. Percy is confused about what the Oracle is trying to tell him, and he doesn't know what to do.

After the Oracle, Percy and Annabeth attend a campfire, where they talk about the future and what they will do. Percy and Annabeth both agree that they need to find the Lightning Thief and stop him from causing any more harm. They decide to go on a quest to find the Lightning Thief and stop him.

In these chapters, Percy and Annabeth go through a series of challenges in the War Games. The War Games are a test of their skills and abilities, and they both prove to be formidable opponents. After the War Games, Percy is given a prophecy by the Oracle and is told that he will have to make a choice that will determine the fate of the world. Percy and Annabeth then attend a campfire, where they talk about the future and what they will do. They decide to go on a quest to find the Lightning Thief and stop him from causing any more harm

Section 3: Chapters 15-22 (Sydney)

Summary

         This section of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief captures the final events of the novel. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover meet the God of War in a diner. Ares needs Percy to retrieve a special item from an abandoned theme park in which Ares had a date with a mystery woman. In the deal with Ares, he promises information about Percy’s mom. With reluctance, the group heads toward the waterpark and discovers that Ares’ girlfriend was Aphrodite, who is married to Hephaestus. The Tunnel of Love ride is where Ares’ lost his shield. Annabeth and Percy hop into the ride and Grover waits outside. Turns out, the ride is a trap set by the blacksmith god to trap the godly affair. They are locked into the ride and an announcement is made that this is going to stream to Mount Olympus. Luckily before the ride crashes, Grover sweeps in a saves them.

         When the gang meets with Ares again, Ares says that Percy’s mother is not dead, and her soul is being held hostage by Hades. This gives Percy hope that he can save her. They catch a truck and are able to go to Las Vegas and here is the infamous Lotus Casino scene. The front desk gives the kids hotel keys and does not require them to pay. Seems too good to be true but the heroes enjoy their much-needed rest and then head to the casino floor. Everyone is having fun and is described as a trance, being a paradise for kids. Unlimited desserts and sodas, and every game imaginable. Percy is the first one to notice something is off and is starting to realize that they are stuck in a daze and are wasting time. "I'd never leave. I'd stay here, happy forever, playing games forever, and soon I'd forget my mom, and my quest, and maybe even my own name." (Riordan 263) When Percy gathers Annabeth and Grover and leaves the Lotus Casino, they only have one day remaining to finish the quest.

         Percy and his friends make it to Los Angeles from the card from Aunty Em’s Emporium and go to the DOA Recording studios which is the entrance to the Underworld. Charon asks the heroes for the fee to the Underworld and because they are short, they must run through the gates. Percy still has the three pearls from Nereid that will allow him passage out of the Underworld at his wish. When they make it to the Underworld, Grover’s shoes drag him towards the pit of Tartarus, from Percy’s dream. Thankfully, the shoes fell off and Grover was saved. At the same time, Percy found the lightning bolt in his backpack and realized Ares must have hidden it in there. Once they were at the House of Hades and Hades was not willing to give away Percy’s mom, the trio fled using the pearls.

         Back on the surface in Santa Monica, the gang faces for his deception and Percy fights one on one with the god of war in order to make it back to the east coast. After distractions from the surrounding crowds, and the strength of the ocean, Percy is able to defeat Ares and also win the helm of darkness, which the furies take back to Hades. With no other choices, the trio take a flight back to Manhattan to return Zeus’ bolt. Once Percy makes it back to Olympus at the Empire State Building he is able to prevent the war between the gods.

         Back at camp, Percy meets up with Luke to tell him about his quest. But, the tiles are starting to align and Percy realizes that Luke is the demigod who stole the bolt and the helm from Mount Olympus during the winter solstice. Luke is a servant of Kronos who wants the Titans to rise again and defeat the gods who have wronged Luke. The story ends with Percy going back to New York City for school and his mom and will return next summer to fight Luke. 

Analysis

            The author Rick Riordan introduces classic characters from Greek myths and gives them a modern spin. Cerberus, Hades’ three-headed guard dog is now a rottweiler whom Percy can distract with a stick. To get past Charon, the trio regards him as an undervalued employee which is a common occurrence in the modern world.

             Percy finally meets his father on Mount Olympus but realizes Poseidon’s definition of family is vastly different from his own. Percy comes to learn that Medusa’s head is at his mom’s apartment for whatever he wishes. When Percy gives his mom the head, it gives her the power to leave an abusive situation and it saves her. This is similar to the classic myth in which Perseus saves his mother from the cyclops.