Author
Rick Riordan
19 books here
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 750L
Riordan cracked the code for reluctant middle-grade readers — Percy's ADHD and dyslexia feel plot-integral rather than tokenized, and the humor actually lands for kids and adults.
The Sun and the Star
Young adult · ages 10–14 · 820L
The strongest entry in the extended Percy Jackson universe — genuinely creepy, emotionally grounded, and uses the Underworld setting to explore grief, identity, and queer love with surprising depth.
The Demigod Files
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 720L · 2010
A bridge book that deepens the Percy Jackson universe without advancing the main plot — best read after Book 1, not as entry point; the three novellas reward fans but don't standalone.
The Tyrant's Tomb
Young adult · ages 10–14 · 820L · 2019
The most emotionally mature entry in the series—grief and identity drive the plot harder than quests, and Riordan doesn't flinch from consequences or LGBTQ+ inclusion.
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla guide to the Norse worlds
Nonfiction · ages 9–12 · 720L · 2016
A solid reference for Magnus Chase fans who want to dig deeper into Norse mythology, but it's a companion, not a standalone — kids need the series first to get real value.
The Hammer of Thor
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 780L · 2016
Riordan's tightest Norse mythology entry — fun action-quest pacing with genuinely complex characters and casual LGBTQ+ rep that doesn't feel bolted on.
Daughter of the Deep
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 850L · 2021
A high-stakes oceanic adventure that balances mythological depth with Riordan's signature wit, perfect for readers who want a serious quest without losing the fun.
The Dark Prophecy
Young adult · ages 9–12 · 750L · 2018
Riordan's best in the Apollo series — the existential stakes (a god learning humility through loss) give the adventure real weight, and the humor lands without undermining the menace.
The Sword of Summer
Middle grade · ages 10–14 · 730L · 2017
Riordan's strongest mythology opener for this age—sharper and less quippy than Percy Jackson, with a protagonist who feels genuinely new and whose identity markers (homelessness, ADHD, mixed race, implied queerness) matter to the plot rather than decorate it.
Demigods and Monsters
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 740L · 2008
The gold standard entry point for myths, quests, and kids who love witty protagonists — the ADHD/dyslexia angle feels earned, not decorative, and Riordan's voice carries slow readers through.
The Titan's Curse
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 730L · 2009
Riordan's tightest plot in the series—the stakes feel real, the mythology is earned, and the emotional gut-punch lands because the friendship matters.
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 850L · 2021
A fun, spooky anthology that captures the eerie charm of a traveling carnival without being too scary for most middle graders.
The Battle of the Labyrinth
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 740L · 2018
The turning point of the series where stakes become real and friendships fracture—darker and more thematically complex than the first three, but Riordan's humor and Percy's voice keep it from feeling heavy.
The Last Olympian
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 750L · 2011
The satisfying, emotionally earned conclusion to the series—Percy's sacrifice and choice feel weighty because Riordan spent five books letting you love his characters, and the war genuinely costs them.
Percy Jackson's Greek heroes
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 760L
A genuinely smart mythology primer disguised as adventure retellings — Riordan's irreverent voice makes Greek heroes feel like actual people with contradictions, and kids finish it knowing the canon cold.
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods
Nonfiction · ages 9–12 · 720L · 2015
Riordan's irreverent voice makes Greek mythology genuinely entertaining for middle graders who'd otherwise find it a slog—the jokes land, the genealogies stay clear, and kids actually want to learn the pantheon.
The Lightning Thief
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 740L · 2010
Genuinely funny and propulsive quest that hooks kids who thought they didn't like mythology — Percy's voice is funny-annoyed rather than whiny, and Riordan respects his readers' intelligence.
The Lost Hero
Young adult · ages 10–14 · 760L · 2010
A genuinely fun and fast-paced entry point to demigod mythology that doesn't require Percy Jackson background; the three-protagonist structure and cliffhanger ending make it a page-turner.
The Sea of Monsters
Middle grade · ages 9–12 · 730L · 2022
The sequel hits harder than the first—sharper stakes, real character friction, and enough mythological flavor to hook kids on reading; Percy's voice is consistently funny without sacrificing tension.