The Chalice of the Gods: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
#1 of 7 in Percy Jackson & The Olympians Series
on Goodreads (129,815)
What’s inside...
The original heroes from The Lightning Thief are reunited for their biggest challenge yet: getting Percy to college when the gods are standing in his way. After saving the world multiple times, Percy Jackson is hoping to have a normal senior year. Unfortunately, the gods aren’t quite done with him. Percy will have to fulfill three quests in order to get the necessary three letters of recommendation from Mount Olympus for college. The first quest is to help Zeus’s cup-bearer retrieve his goblet before it falls into the wrong hands. Can Percy, Grover, and Annabeth find it in time? Readers new to Percy Jackson and fans who have been awaiting this reunion for more than a decade will delight equally in this latest hilarious take on Greek mythology.
Discussion points
If you could have a conversation with any character from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
How do the characters' experiences in 'The Chalice of the Gods' reflect the struggles we sometimes face in our own lives?
Which of the gods' powers would you choose if you had the chance, and what would you do with it?
What lessons do you think Percy has learned by the end of the book, and how can we apply those lessons to our own challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share your own thoughts on the book's themes and characters to model open-ended conversation.
Ask your child to compare their own experiences with those of Percy and his friends, fostering empathy and self-reflection.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios in the book, boosting their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Discuss the moral choices the characters make, prompting your child to consider ethics and values in a relatable context.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, Percy Jackson joins forces with other demigods. This cooperation is crucial to overcoming obstacles and achieving common goals.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together and leveraging each individual's strengths to achieve a common goal, which is applicable in school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: Percy often faces daunting challenges and dangerous adversaries. His courage to confront fear head-on is a central theme.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own fears, whether it's trying something new or standing up against wrongdoing.
Example Lesson: The value of persistence
Explanation: Despite multiple setbacks, Percy persists in his quest. His determination is a testament to his character.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up in the face of adversity, be it in their academic pursuits, hobbies, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Understanding and acceptance of differences
Explanation: Percy encounters a variety of characters from different backgrounds and with different abilities, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to embrace diversity and learn to work and coexist with people who may be different from them.