#tbt: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Oops! I just realized that I never pushed the publish button on this one from last week!

Photo of own book

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. 414 p. Hyperion Books/ Disney, May, 2005.

#tbt features The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Posting about the new Percy Jackson series yesterday last week, where Percy is a senior and applying to college, made me think about when I first met Percy back in May of 2005.

The book opens with a bang as Percy has to defend himself against his algebra teacher during a class trip to The Met. It turns out she's really a Fury and the gods of Olympus are angry with him. He also learns that his headmaster and best friend are not who he thought they were and his mother finally comes clean about who his father is.

Mr. Riordan taught grade seven and made up stories based on Greek mythology at the request of his son, who suffered from ADHD. The success of the series enabled him to quit teaching and, over the ensuing nearly twenty years, has published over thirty books for young people. He also has an imprint at Disney books, where he nurtures the talents of diverse authors.

The cover of the The Lightning Thief has had several iterations. My personal, first-edition copy is pictured above. Which is your favorite Rick Riordan series? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Wrath of the Temple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Image: Disney

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Temple Goddess by Rick Riordan. 288 p. Disney/ Hyperion, September 24, 2024. 

Percy Jackson books are a perennial favorite at TMS. Here's the publisher synopsis of the next one, due on September 24.

In his continuing quest to earn college recommendation letters from the gods, Percy has to pet sit the goddess Hecate’s polecat and giant mastiff during Halloween week. What could go wrong?

Rick Riordan’s newest Percy Jackson adventure is full of hilarious set pieces, a diverse cast of gods and monsters, and many other delightful tricks and treats.

Percy Jackson, now a high school senior, needs three recommendation letters from the Greek gods in order to get into New Rome University. He earned his first one by retrieving Ganymede’s chalice. Now the goddess Hecate has offered Percy another “opportunity”—all he has to do is pet sit her polecat, Gale, and mastiff, Hecuba, over Halloween week while she is away. Piece of cake, right?

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover settle into Hecate’s seemingly endless mansion and start getting acquainted with the fussy, terrifying animals. The trio has been warned not to touch anything, but while Percy and Annabeth are out at school, Grover can’t resist drinking a strawberry-flavored potion in the laboratory. It turns him into a giant frenzied goat, and after he rampages through the house, damaging everything in sight, and passes out, Gale and Hecuba escape. Now the friends have to find Hecate’s pets and somehow restore the house, all before Hecate gets back on Saturday. It’s going to take luck, demigod wiles, and some old and new friends to hunt down the animals and set things right again.

Middle Grade Monday: The Sun and the Star: a Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Image: Disney Books

Sorry for this late posting of Middle Grade Monday! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and didn't eat too much. This is going to be a busy week at my school with Student Led Conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday and our author visit on Thursday.My students are excited to meet Dusti Bowling? Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus was our One Book, One School read last month.

Middle Grade Monday features The Sun and the Star: a Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. It's hard to believe that this stand-alone novel is the 17th book that takes place in the PercyVerse. The Lightning Thief, Mr. Riordan's debut was published in 2005, and 2023 saw two new books published by the former seventh grade teacher. This and The Chalice of the Gods, which is about Percy Jackson and his attempt to be a normal high school student.

Moody and dark Nico Di Angelo has lost a lot in his life, from his mother and sister to his best friend, Jason, but he's crazy in love with Will Solace, his bright light, his Care Bear. Only he's plagued by dreams and a voice in his head begging him to travel to Tartarus to rescue someone. When he consults with Rachel Dare, he learns of a prophecy and is convinced he must travel there though his father has forbidden anyone who is alive from traveling to the Underworld, let alone Tartarus, the absolute pits. He's both gratified and upset that Will, the son of Apollo insists on joining him. How can the son of light possibly survive in the depths of the Underworld?

Fans of these series will not be disappointed!

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Image: Disney Books

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow. Unabridged e-audio, ~8 hours. Read by Will Collyer.  Disney Hyperion, January, 2023. 9781368095822. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! The steamy, cloudy, buggy, thunderstormy weather continues here in northern NJ. Middle Grade Monday features Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow. This was a rare book for me, in that I went into it knowing very little about the plot. I liked the riff on "Simon Says," and saw the title mentioned in a few childlit discussions as a possible Newbery contender, so I didn't read reviews or anything else about the book. I'm glad, because I didn't already know, since it's front and center on the front flap and in most reviews.

Most kids don't want to move household, let alone way out to the boondocks to a town called, I kid you not, Grin and Bear It, Nebraska. But that's okay with Simon. The town is in the middle of a national quiet zone due to the presence of a team of scientists trying to make contact with aliens through an array of huge telescopes, so all electronics are banned. There's no Internet, no cable and not even a microwave to be found. And, that's okay with Simon. That means no googling the new kid.

He hopes to fly under the radar and try to get his life back to normal. His parents are trying to do everything in their power to help Simon, and he appreciates that. He feels a little guilty about that and other things.

His first impressions of Grin and Bear It, are good. He quickly makes friends with Kevin and Agate. Agate is autistic and her large family has a farm where they raise angora goats and service dogs. Agate seems to intuit that Simon needs one and tasks him with a puppy to raise. She also has a scheme to save the scientists, who funding may be in jeopardy. Settling into this small town is not as easy for his parents, his undertaker mother is stuck with an inept assistant who either loses bodies or takes the wrong one. His deacon father ruffles the feathers of the church ladies when a squirrel gets into the communion wafers.

Hilarity and hijinks distract from the underlying secret that Simon gradually reveals. Simon is an endearing character who is easy to root for. Secondary characters are equally endearing and the sense of community is strong. Ms. Bow deals with a timely topic deftly and age appropriately.

New to me narrator, Will Collyer delivered a measured and thoughtful performance. Readers who love sad books will love Simon Sort of Says. I'm putting this on my reread pile. Highly recommend.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Sun and the Star: a Nico DiAngelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Rick Oshiro.

Image: Disney 

The Sun and the Star: a Nico DiAngelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. 480 p. Disney Hyperion, May 2, 2023. 9781368081153. 

Waiting on Wednesday features The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. I had totally forgotten that there were plans to develop the romance between Nico and Will! Yay" The book will release on May 2. Here's the publisher synopsis: 

Demigods Nico di Angelo and Will Solace must endure the terrors of Tartarus to rescue an old friend in this thrilling adventure co-written by New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan and award-winning author Mark Oshiro.

Percy Jackson fans, rejoice! Nico and Will have a book of their own!

As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far . . .

Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’s realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to “leave something of equal value behind?”

Nico will have to face demons both internal and external as his relationship with Will is tested to the core in this standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters in the Percy Jackson saga.

Middle Grade Monday: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel

Image: DisneyBooks

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Kwame Mbalia's novel adapted by Robert Venditti. Illustrated by Olivia Stephens. 128 p. Disney, April, 2022. 9781368075008. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Robert Venditti adapted Kwame Mbwila's debut novel and Olivia Stephens illustrated. Seventh grader Tristan Strong is still grieving the loss of his best friend in a bus accident. He also feels guilty for being unable to save him. All he has left is Eddie's journal and that has been stolen by, a doll? He chases the sticky little thing and the two end up in a tug-of-war under the bottle tree. Tristan punches the tree and rips a hole where the two fall into MidPass, where its inhabitants, heroes from African American folklore and West African mythology are battling monsters. Tristan must help John Henry and Brer Rabbit find the trickster Anansi to help seal the hole.

The art in this graphic novel adaptation is absolutely glorious.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel

Image: Author's Website

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Based on the novel by Kwame Mbalia. Adapted by Robert Venditti. Illustrated by Olivia Stephens. 128 p. Disney Press, August 9, 2022. 9781368075008.

Happy Wednesday! It's a sparkling morning by me! I hope you plan on getting outside for some fresh air and exercise! Boo's waiting at my feet for our long morning walk right now.

Waiting on Wednesday features Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: the Graphic Novel. Robert Venditti adapted Kwame Mbalia's debut novel and trilogy starter into a brilliant full-color graphic novel that is releasing on August 9. Older students might recall that I reviewed all three novels in the Tristan Strong trilogy on Middle Grade Monday over the years. These are the fast-paced adventures of Tristan Strong, a seventh grader who is grieving the death of his best friend, Eddie. Tristan feels guilty that he was unable to save Eddie and treasures Eddie's notebook filled with stories. He is sent to stay with his grandparents for the summer and, on the first night there, a little doll sneaks into Tristan's room and steals Eddie's notebook. Enraged, Tristan chases the doll and accidentally punches a portal into another universe peopled with gods from African mythology and African American folk heroes and legends. MidPass is under siege and the gods and legends are tired. Tristan needs to help them in order to get back to his world and his grandparents farm.

If you love fast-paced adventure filled with great characters and lots of humor, you will love the Tristan Strong trilogy. I am looking forward to reading the graphic novel adaptation! Happy reading!

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Lore Alexandra Bracken

Image: Disney

Lore Alexandra Bracken. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~16 hours. Read by Fryda Wolff. Disney Hyperion, January, 2021. 9781368075107. (Review of downloadable e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday! I had yet another sleepless night last night, the only good thing being able to watch the nearly full moon move across the sky.Teen Tuesday features Lore by Alexandra Bracken. Oof! How do I begin to describe this modern day tale of gods and heroes? Melora, Lore, Perseous always longed to become a warrior and help restore her family's glory. She is the last of the line of Perseous and has gone underground in order to elude those who murdered her family in the last Agon. An Agon is a seven-day battle that occurs every seven years in which the gods are stripped of their immortality and can be hunted by the descendants of ancient heroes and who would acquire the god or goddess' powers should they be killed. A new Agon has commenced in Manhattan and Lore is surprised to find that a wounded Athena wants to form an alliance with her in order to defeat a villain who not only killed Ares, but now wants to kill the remaining gods in order to acquire all their power.

The pace is fast and violent in this intricately-plotted, pulse-pounding adventure. This makes Percy Jackson's adventures look like a walk in Central Park. This is war and it isn't pretty. Mature teen fans of mythology retellings will find this fresh spin compelling. And, isn't that cover amazing?

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Image: Penguin Random House Audio

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~7 hours, 18 minutes. Read by Kinsale Hueston. Listening Library/ Penguin Random House Audio, January, 2020. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. I had a total of zero trick-or-treaters on Sunday. I'm also ready for our short week! NJ public schools are closed Thursday and Friday for Teachers' Convention Weekend. November celebrates Native American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage month, so many of the books recommended this month will feature books by or about Indigenous North Americans (even though I try to keep the Daily Book Talks diverse all through the year).

Middle Grade Monday features Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. This entry in the Rick Riordan Presents Imprint doesn't disappoint. Twelve-year-old Nizhoni Begay has dreams of doing something heroic - on the basketball court, at school or onine. She's just a bit distractable and seems to always mess things up because she can see monsters hidden in human disguises and one happens to be at her basketball game where she has the opportunity to win the game for her team. She ends up on the gym floor with a bloody nose instead, and she returns home to fine the man/ monster in her driveway! He's her dad's new boss and the reason the family will be moving from New Mexico to Oklahoma.

Turns out, NIzhoni is a monster-slayer and her brother, Mac, has powers as well. They are both descendants of the Hero Twins of Navajo myth and legend and now they have to rescue their father and save the world.

The story is fast-paced and peppered with moments of humor and Navajo words, for which there is a glossary. I am glad to have read this one with my ears to hear the words and names correctly pronounced. Memorable characters include a talking horned toad, a guardian of a mountain made of crystal and Spider Woman.

Readers who love fantasy adventure like the Percy Jackson books will love this one. Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

Image: Disney Books

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. 400 p. Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney Books, March, 2019. 

Happy Monday! I'm sorry my students' Monday is a rainy one. They have off so that we teachers can have a professional day. Hopefully, they have some great books to curl up with. 

Middle Grade Monday features Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez. This sci-fi adventure was Mr. Hernandez's debut and published in 2019. It won the 2020 Pura Belpré Award as well.

Thirteen-year-old Sal Vidón has diabetes and is an aspiring magician who also has the ability to reach into the space-time continuum and bring back objects and people, most notably, his dead mother, who is not dead in other universes. He also likes to play pranks, which is not endearing him to the teachers at his new school, nor Gabi Réal, student council president and reporter for the school newspaper. She aims to prove it was Sal who put the bloody chicken in her friend's locker.

This fast-paced adventure is laugh-out-loud funny, but there are moments of touching poignancy that deepen the connection to these two characters.

Sal & Gabi Break the Universe is book one of a planned series. Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe was published in 2020. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia

Image: Rick Riordan Presents

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia. Tristan Strong series #3. 320 p. Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney Press, October 5, 2021. 9781368054874.

Waiting on Wednesday features Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia. I am so excited for book three of this thrilling series based on West African mythology and African American folklore. Click here for my review of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and click here for Tristan Strong Destroys the World. The website, Rick Riordan Presents had a cover reveal last month. 

Here's the publisher synopsis: Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents the finale of Kwame Mbalia’s trilogy, in which Tristan Strong faces off with his archenemy, King Cotton, once and for all. After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan’s hometown of Chicago. It’s going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan’s inner strength to deliver justice once and for all. Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.

Middle Grade Monday: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Image: Disney Books

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan. Trials of Apollo #5. Read by Robbie Daymond. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~12 hours. Listening Library/ Penguin Random House Audio, October, 2020. (Review of e-audio borrowed from public library. Purchased hard cover.)

Happy Winter Solstice TMS Readers! Today marks the longest period of darkness and the beginning of winter. Starting tomorrow, we get a bit more daylight each day. Also, the forcast is for cloudy skies, so we might not get to see the show that Saturn and Jupiter are putting on tonight.

Middle Grade Monday features The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan. Yes, TMS Readers, the Trials of Apollo series has come to an end. Lester Papadopoulos and Meg have been through A LOT and now have to face their final challenge back in New York - Nero's lair. Will Meg have the strength to resist Nero, her abusive step-father? Will the campers at Camp Half-Blood rally around Apollo when the odds of them walking into a trap and not walking out are high? Can Lou be trusted? No spoilers here!

If you have not read the first four books in this rollercoaster of a series, then you absolutely must. It's hard to believe that The Tower of Nero marks the fifteenth book set in the Percy Jackson world. It's also hard to believe that it has come an end. Fear not Riordan fans, Uncle Rick has hinted at a few stand-alone novels, so let the predicting commence! Will Nico and Will get their own book? How about the Artemis crew or maybe Piper? Then there's Chiron's cryptic line at the end about a severed head and a cat that is also promising. Stay tuned!

I must admit that this series seemed never-ending. It is not my favorite, though it did grow on me as did Robbie Daymond as narrator. He does have quite a range of voices. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Image: Disney Books

Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. Tristan Strong #2. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~9 hours. Read by Amir Abdullah. Listening Library, October, 2020. 9780593149614. (Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Middle Grade Monday features Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. This sequel to Mr. Mbalia's debut blockbuster, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is even better. That's saying something because I loved the first book. If you've read it, you will definitely want to read the sequel and if you haven't, what are you waiting for?

Tristan Strong has been back from Alke for a month, still staying on his grandparents' farm and still training with his grandfather. He's still filled with self-doubt and acknowledges that he's probably suffering from PTSD. After a "friendly" sparring match gets a bit rough, Tristan's grandmother is kidnapped and taken to Alke. Reluctant as he is to return to Alke, he has to rescue his grandmother! He hopes to get advice from John Henry, but he is a shell of the man Tristan came to admire. So, it's up to Tristan, Ayanna and the irrepressible Gum Baby to get things done. 

Mr. Mbalia seamlessly weaves African mythology and African American folklore into a seat-of-your-pants adventure. While often humorous, there is real trauma here both cultural and personal. Perceptive readers will appreciate the power of storytelling and remembering. The mind-blowing ending of this installment will leave readers panting for the next!

Amir Abdullah's performance does not disappoint! It's perfectly paced and emotionally engaging. 

November is Picture Book Month! Review: Lift by Minh Lê

Lift: Disney/ LBYR

Lift by Minh Lê. Illustrated by Dan Santat. unpgd. Disney/ Hyperion/ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May, 2020. 9781368036924. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.) 

It's Iris' job to press the elevator button. Period. Up and down. Each day. Every day. But one day, an interloper in the form of her little brother presses the button before she can and she's mad.  Betrayal! In this spread, we see Iris' proud parents hugging her little brother as he hugs his stuffed tiger that was apparently Iris'!

After she's betrayed yet again, she decides to push all the buttons and doesn't care about her parents' ire. Unfortunately, she breaks the elevator. While she and her parents wait for the repairman to finish fixing the elevator, she watches as he tosses the dysfunctional button into a nearby trash can. Inspiration strikes and Iris snatches it. She tapes it to the wall of her room, presses the button and... whoa!

While Minh Lê expertly taps into the psyche of the older sibling, Dan Santat adroitly and humorously portrays the dynamics in a variety of panel sizes a lá graphic novel style. Iris is clearly put upon but not without love for her brother. 

This is an absolute must purchase for any library. It's an absolute joy! One a parent won't mind reading again and again.

Waiting on Wednesday and e-Arc Review: City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda

Image: Disney

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda. 400 p. Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney, January 12, 2021. 9781368051507. (Review of e-arc courtesy of publisher.)

Waiting on Wednesday features City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda. I had this on the schedule for a "Waiting" post for awhile. I am a huge fan of the author's Ash Mistry trilogy as well the author's Shadow Magic trilogy (I can't believe I didn't blog about them!) written under the name, Joshua Khan, so when I saw the cover reveal for City of the Plague God some months back, I scheduled the post. Then, I won an e-arc from Disney! This means I got to read it electronically instead of receiving a physical arc, which I could then give away to a student. #pandemic.

Thirteen-year-old Sikander Aziz is cleaning up the family's Manhattan deli after a busy day. He's wishing his "cousin" Daoud would help more and missing his brother, Mo, who was killed in an accident in Iran while doing relief work. Sik hears a noise in the alley behind the store and when he goes to investigate, comes face to face with two of the vilest creatures he has ever encountered and a huge one-eyed cat. It seems "Ratty" and "Toady" are the god, Nergal's minions. Nergal wants something that Mo sent home. They tear the deli apart looking for whatever that was. He's saved from being torn limb from limb by a scimatar-wielding girl dressed in black who dispatches the invaders but not before they inform Sik that they aren't finished with him and his family. Soon, his parents are in comas and quarantined with a mysterious disease and Manhattan is being overrun with pests of epic proportions.

Wow! Fasten your seatbelts and grab a barf bag! This adventure, based on Mespotamian mythology is fast-paced and gloriously gross! Our narrator, Sik, is appealing and snarky but also earnest and devoted to his family. While the emphasis is on the adventure, Sik does deal with micro-aggressions and Islamophobia on a regular basis. The bond Sik shares with his deceased brother Mo is complicated and surprisingly touching. While this had the feel of a series beginner, the adventure had a conclusion and is a stand-alone. That said, I absolutely would not mind visiting Sik and his family and friends again. Maybe with a little less pus and pestilence;-)

City of the Plague God will release in January of 2021. Mark your calendars! I hope there's an audio because I would love to reread this with my ears! Last thing, isn't that a fantastic cover?

#tbt: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Image: Disney

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1. Miramax Books/ Hyperion Books for Children/ Disney, June, 2005. 9780786856299. (Own.)

#tbt features The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. It was fifteen year ago on June 28 that Riordan's book debuted. My first edition copy has a different cover (below) than what eventually became the Percy Jackson brand, illustrated by John Rocco (above). 

The book that launched an empire. This story about a middle school misfit with dyslexia became my go-to book for readers, reluctant and otherwise, who wanted action and humor. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Aru Shah and the City of Gold by Roshani Choksi

Image: RickRiordan

Waiting on Wednesday features Aru Shah and the City of Gold by Roshani Choksi. This fourth book in the Pandava Quintet does not release until April of 2021; but that gives you all plenty of time to read the first three books! If you loved Rick Riordan's mythology-based adventures, you will love Aru Shah. She's more than just a middle school student from Parsippany, NJ, she's a Pandava sister and princess. 

There's not much out there in the way of a synopsis. Rick Riordan just revealed the cover on his website last week. While you're waiting, you can browse all the other great titles published under his imprint at Disney, Rick Riordan Presents, quite a few of which have been highlighted here.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Photo: Disney

The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan. 448 p. The Trials of Apollo # 5. Disney Books, October 6, 2020.

Publisher synopsis: At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here! Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic moral form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus? Lester’s demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester’s final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting.

Waiting on Wednesday: City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda

Image: Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda. Rick Riordan Presents/ Disney, January, 2021!

I am a huge fan of Sarwat Chadda's Ash Mistry trilogy. I also loved his Shadow Magic Trilogy, written under the name, Joshua Khan. When I spied an announcement by the author on social media awhile back, I threw the title on my spreadsheet and waited for more information. Since we are home for at least two weeks doing virtual schooling, I figured now was a good time to highlight this title, even though we have to wait awhile for it!

Publisher synopsis: Inspired by Mesopotamian mythology, the story follows Sikander Aziz, a Muslim boy born and raised in New York City, as he teams up with legendary hero Gilgamesh to defeat the ancient god of plagues before the entire population of Manhattan is wiped out.

While you're waiting for what promises to be a rip-roaring adventure, why don't you check out The Savage Fortress or Shadow Magic. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia

Image: Disney/ Hyperion

Tristan Strong Destroys the World by Kwame Mbalia. Tristan Strong series #2. 320 p. Disney Press/ Disney, October 6, 2020. 9781368042383.

Publisher synopsis: Bestselling author Rick Riordan presents the second book in the New York Times best-selling Tristan Strong trilogy by Kwame Mbalia. Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke—and reunite with his loud-mouthed sidekick, Gum Baby—in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a "web developer" in Tristan's phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.

I so enjoyed Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and can't wait for this!