Sea of Monsters (Book)

Riordan, R. (2006). Sea of monsters. New York, NY: Miramax Books.

Interest Level: Ages 9 to 12
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Olympian Gods, Action Adventure, First Person Narrative

Plot: The story starts on the last day of school almost a year after the lightning thief ended.  Percy is having bad dreams of his friend Grover being trapped somewhere.  Upon arriving at Camp Halfblood, Percy, his brother Tyson, and friend Annabeth find that the camp's protections are failing because Thalia's tree has been poisoned.  Clarisse, daughter of Ares, is given a quest to find the golden fleece in order to heal the tree.  Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson defy orders to stay at camp and leave to find their friend Grover who has been trapped by a cyclops.  On the way they stop on a cruise ship that Luke has taken over and is acting as the home base for those supporting Kronos' return.  After escaping the cruise ship, the group runs into Clarisse's ship which ends up getting destroyed.  Annabeth and Percy end up on Circe's island and have to battle their way free.  Afterwards the group reunites on the Cyclops' island and battle with the Cyclops in order to retrieve the fleece.

Personal Thoughts: Written in the same style as the first book in this series, The lightning thief.  As before, the book is both fast paced and action filled.  We learn more about Annabeth and Luke's past before Percy and even before they made it to camp.  Definitely recommended for children who have already read and enjoyed the first book in the series.  As the children come in contact with more and more mythical creatures and gods, you may need to provide them with an encyclopedia on Greek gods in order to satisfy their curiosity. 

Series Info: Book Two of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series.
Sequel: The Titan's Curse (2007)
Awards:
Book Sense Top Ten Summer Pick (2006)
Child Magazine Best Book (2006)
Kirkus Reviews Best Fantasy Sequel (2006)
VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick for Middle School Readers (2006)
YALSA Best Book for Young Adults (2007)
Mark Twain State Award (2009)

Similar materials: Yolen, J., & Robert, J. H. (2001). Odysseus in the serpent maze. New York, NY: HarperCollins.