From School Library Journal Grade 5-9 In this second installment in the series, Percy, Poseidon’s 13-year-old demigod son, is desperate to rescue his friend Grover, captive of the bloodthirsty Cyclops Polyphemus, and to retrieve the healing Golden Fleece. The sheepskin is needed to restore the protection around Camp Half-Blood, the only safe haven for the children of gods and humans, heroes-in-training in our modern world. However, the camp has already been compromised and the quest for the Golden Fleece has been awarded to the bully Clarisse. Encouraged by Hermes, Percy sets off for the Bermuda Triangle anyway with his friend Annabeth and classmate Tyson, who turns out to be a half-brother and a Cyclops as well. Adventure follows chaotic adventure at a rapid pace, and readers with even a passing acquaintance with the Odyssey will enjoy this fresh use of familiar stories. Percy is an appealing kid, and the subject of a chilling prophecy may resonate with readers. Those who start the series with this title will be drawn in by the clever humor and have the opportunity to go back to The Lightning Thief (Hyperion, 2005) before the inevitable sequel appears. Kathleen Isaacs, Towson University, MD Copyright (c) Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Product Description Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Two: Sea of Monsters, The From Booklist Gr. 6-9. In this second adventure in Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy is anticipating the end of seventh grade and a summer at Camp Half-Blood with kids who are the offspring of Greek gods and mortals. He dreams that his pal Grover, a satyr, is in danger. After monsters attack in his school gym class, Percy and Tyson, a homeless kid, are picked up by Annabeth, a half-blood friend, and rushed to the camp, which is under attack. The tree that guards the camp is dying, and Chiron, the activity director, has been dismissed. Another dream reveals that Grover, whose peril is increasing, is on the same island as the legendary Golden Fleece, which may be the cure for the troubled camp. With the help of Hermes, Percy and his pals set off to the Sea of Monsters, where they encounter legendary dangers. Riordan’s clever mix of classical mythology, contemporary teen characters, and an action-packed adventure will bring new readers to the series. Diana HeraldCopyright (c) American Library Association. All rights reserved From AudioFile This action-packed book (second in a series) will delight fans of Percy Jackson, the half-blood son of Poseidon, as Percy once again battles mythical monsters in modern-day settings while on his mission to save the tree that guards Camp Half-Blood. Narrator Jesse Berns helps listeners slip right into the oddly engaging world that Riordan creates, in which contemporary teen characters and those from classical mythology intermingle. Berns is so good at accurately portraying teenagers that it’s hard to recall he isn’t one; Percy’s sarcasm and disdainful tones (“Dude?”) are just right, though Berns also reveals his ability to become a satyr, cyclops, or guinea pig (“Reep! Reep!”) as required. Berns keeps the pace masterfully taut while also allowing listeners time to revel in the book’s humor. J.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine– Copyright (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine About the Author Rick Riordan is the author of the first four books in the New York Timesbest-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series: The Lightning Thief; The Sea of Monsters; The Titan’s Curse; and The Battle of the Labyrinth. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. Review “In a feat worthy of his heroic subjects, Riordan crafts a sequel stronger than his compelling debut.” — Publishers Weekly”[A] fast and fun