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The Trials of Apollo, Book 1: The Hidden Oracle
Last updated Monday, May 5, 2025
Author: Rick Riordan
Date of Publication: 2016
ISBN: 148473274X
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: May 2025
Synopsis:
How do you punish an immortal? By making him human.
After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disoriented, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favor.
But Apollo has many enemies - gods, monsters, and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go. . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.
| Note to readers: |
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This is the first in a series of 5 books by Richard Riordan that focuses on Apollo. Apollo is being punished
by Zeus (king of the gods) and has been turned into a mortal teenage boy. Previously, 3 books from the
original Percy Jackson and the Olympians series were used by Reading to Kids in April, May and June of
2010. Copies should be in your library if you haven’t already read them. They make a fun and
interesting read for summer or anytime.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Each chapter in this book begins with a Haiku, instead of a title. Haiku is a very traditional form of Japanese poetry. It consists of 3 lines of text that total 17 syllables; 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables. Apollo is known to the be the god of poetry and music along with other things. What do you think of his Haikus?
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After the first few chapters, what do you think of Apollo as a person? Is he someone you might like to
be friends with? How would you feel if you knew someone to acted the way he does?
Vocabulary
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oracle: a person, often a priestess in Ancient Greece, through whom a god is said to speak and
prophesy.
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prophesy: to predict with assurance the future.
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demigod: a being is half-human and half-god, having one parent be a god.
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pedestrian: going about on foot, walking.
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Haiku: a traditional form of Japanese piety. Contains only 3 lines, with a total of 17 syllables: 5 syllables,
7 syllables, 5 syllables.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What to you think of Meg? Is she someone you can trust? Could you be friends with her?
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What to do you think of Percy Jackson? Why is he reluctant to help Apollo and Meg? Why do you think
he agrees to help them?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Try to write a Haiku yourself. Remember: 3 lines, 17 syllables, 5,7 and 5 per line.
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Draw a picture of what you think various characters and creatures look like from the description given in the book.
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Sunday, May 11th is Mother’s Day; make a greeting card for someone you know.
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| Special activities: |
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Do the word search.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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