Throughout the novel, Percy Jackson must display bravery, kindness, and trust. What is the overall role of kindness in the novel? How does kindness complement bravery as a key aspect of heroism?

Teaching Suggestion: You may want to compare Rick Riordan’s idea of heroism with the ancient Greek idea of heroism that inspires his novels. You might note to the class that for the ancient Greeks, heroes were not necessarily good people—just people who were very strong, brave, and favored by the gods. Students may then reflect on how Riordan adapts his source material to modern values.

Differentiation Suggestion: English learners, students with dyslexia, and those with attentional or executive function differences might find sorting through the entire text to find evidence daunting. You might help these students pinpoint the most relevant sections of text to limit the amount they need to review or allow students additional time to gather evidence (for instance, you can direct students to Dionysus’ words of advice to Percy at the end of Chapter 19)

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Holding Out for a Hero”