Book Notes

This is book one of the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series. I wish I had read it months ago. I was reluctant, but once I started I found a great fantasy.

Percy has been shuffled from school to school. He can’t seem to stay out of trouble. He’s dyslexic, so his grades aren’t so hot, and he has ADHD, so none of his teachers ever give him much of a chance. It turns out that there is a reason for this. He’s a demigod.

In this fantasy the myths of the Greek Gods are not just myths. They are real and very much alive today. And one of them is Percy’s dad. His Greek god roots are what make him dyslexic–he’s hard wired to read ancient Greek–and the ADHD is because his body is hard wired for battle.

After finding out that he is a demigod, Percy has to undertake a quest. Zeus’s master bolt has been stolen and if it is not returned by the summer solstice world war three will begin. It’s up to Percy and his friends to travel to the underworld, get it, and get back to Mount Olympus (located on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building). This is non-stop adventure chock full of ancient monsters and ancient curses. A fun, fun book.

I really enjoyed this fantasy once I got past the initial eerie feelings. Corrina has disguised herself as a boy in order to hold the postion of Folk Keeper in large houses and estates. This job keeps the folk appeased so that they will not be tempted to turn the milk or spoil the hay.

Things change for Corrina when she goes to Cliffsend to be a folk keeper. Here she is near the sea and she begins to notice changes in herself. It turns out Corrina’s mother was a seal maiden, so Corrina is too. Now she has to decide whether she wants a life at sea, or one on land with her new love Finian.

This is a lovely, gentle read that requires some effort on the part of the reader. But I have read it twice now and have not been disappointed.

This young adult historical fiction is set during the Plague in London in 1665. Hannah has just arrived in London to help her sister in her sweets shop. Very soon after she arrives the gates are closed and no one is permitted to leave. Come what may, Hannah and Sarah are in it for the long haul.

The historical details are what make this book so rich. The plague was gruesome and London was no picnic either. The grime and swill that littered the streets and the rats that carried the disease make for an accurate depiction. A great read for true history lovers.