I really liked the description of the camp- both the fun allusions to mythology (climbing the wall with lava flowing down, water nymphs in the lake, archery practice with the centaur's etc), but also the campfires and general comfort that Percy felt there. My students, for the most part, have never experienced summer camp and they experienced it for the first time through this story.
I was super surprised how much my students enjoyed the mythology in this story! As I've blogged, we've acted out a few myths, and presented "Perseus and Medusa" twice this year for the entire school! They have really "gotten" the myths-- and I hope to do more with them next year.
My absolute favorite part, though, and the reason that I chose this story for my students is that the hero is "one of us". My students may be more learning impaired than Percy, but many of them share Percy's struggles with ADHD and dyslexia. Percy also grew up without a dad (a background also shared by my students). Percy is a kind person, a good friend, a caring kid growing up into a compassionate young adult. By examining Percy's actions, my students have learned about problem solving, conflict resolution, and also are able to relate his actions to themselves. What would we do if we were Percy? And, when confronted with problems in our own lives, what would Percy do?
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