# The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)

**Author:** Rick Riordan
**Lexile:** 740L
**Grade range:** Grades 4–7
**Age range:** 9–13
**First published:** 2005
**Page count:** 384
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fantasy
**ISBN-13:** `9780786838653`
**ISBN-10:** `0786838655`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-lightning-thief
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old with dyslexia and ADHD, learns he is the son of Poseidon and must recover Zeus's stolen lightning bolt. The novel anchors a series widely assigned in 5th-7th grade and frequently paired with Greek mythology units. Its accessibility for striving readers (Lexile 740L, fast pacing) is part of its curriculum staying power.

## Themes

- Greek mythology
- neurodivergence (dyslexia, ADHD)
- friendship
- found family
- quest narrative

## Content notes

- mild violence
- monster peril

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 9+

## Where this book is assigned

### Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Arizona — [source: Arizona Library Association — Grand Canyon Reader Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Tween divisions; annual since 1977)](https://www.azla.org/page/GCRAaboutpage)

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 4-5 contemporary fantasy exemplar (Greek mythology pairing)](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Florida — [source: FL B.E.S.T. Standards grade 5 mythology unit pairing](https://www.fldoe.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: CCSS ELA grades 6-8 Greek mythology pairing](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New York — [source: NY Next Gen Standards grade 6 ancient-civilizations crosslink](https://www.nysed.gov/)

### Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)

### Hawai'i Nēnē Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Hawaii — [source: Hawai'i Association of School Librarians — Nēnē Award, grades 4-6 fiction (student-choice; program since 1964); winners 1982-2026 (neneaward.org + Goodreads winner roll)](https://www.neneaward.org/winners.html)

### Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Louisiana — [source: State Library of Louisiana / Louisiana Center for the Book — Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual)](https://library.la.gov/services/for-the-public/louisiana-readers-choice/)

### Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2008](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Massachusetts Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2008](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2008](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Massachusetts — [source: Massachusetts Children's Book Award winners (Salem State University), via Goodreads award record — 2008](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4054-massachusetts-children-s-book-award)

### Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2009](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2009](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2009](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)

### Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2008 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2008 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2008 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2008 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Nebraska Golden Sower Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)

### Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Oklahoma — [source: Oklahoma Library Association — Sequoyah Book Award, Children's (gr 3-5) + Intermediate (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1959); winner roll 1959-2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoyah_Book_Award)

### Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Illinois — [source: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award — official winners list (Illinois grades 4-8, voted annually since 1988)](https://www.rebeccacaudill.org/past-awards/past-winners-list)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Illinois — [source: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award — official winners list (Illinois grades 4-8, voted annually since 1988)](https://www.rebeccacaudill.org/past-awards/past-winners-list)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Illinois — [source: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award — official winners list (Illinois grades 4-8, voted annually since 1988)](https://www.rebeccacaudill.org/past-awards/past-winners-list)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Illinois — [source: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award — official winners list (Illinois grades 4-8, voted annually since 1988)](https://www.rebeccacaudill.org/past-awards/past-winners-list)

### Sunshine State Young Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)

### Young Hoosier Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Washington — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award (the oldest children's-choice book award in North America, since 1940; students across the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, read the nominees and vote for their favorites)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

### Young Reader's Choice Award (PNLA)

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2008 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2008 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2008 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: Pacific Northwest Library Association — Young Reader's Choice Award winners (1940-2022), via Wikipedia — 2008 Winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Reader%27s_Choice_Award)

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