Percy Jackson and the Olympians books in order
Last checked: September 24, 2026, against rickriordan.com
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2005 · Book
You searched for this book Start hereFirst book in the main order, first published in 2005. Cover from Google Books -
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About this series: sourced facts
Each fact is shown with its source and the date it was checked.
The series at a glance
Wikidata lists a publication date of 2005 for the series.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06What the story is
The gods and monsters of Greek myth start turning up in the modern life of Percy Jackson.
Source: lccn.loc.gov, checked 2026-11-06Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, Percy is blamed, and he and his friends have ten days to return it.
Source: lccn.loc.gov, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists the genre as fantasy, adventure fiction and young adult fiction.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06The Library of Congress files The Lightning Thief under the subject headings Mythology, Greek, Camps, Friendship, Fathers and sons and Greek mythology.
Source: lccn.loc.gov, checked 2026-11-06How the series came to be
Riordan began The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.
Source: rickriordan.com, checked 2026-11-06He built Percy from a writing exercise he used with his sixth graders: invent a demigod and send them on a Greek-style quest.
Source: rickriordan.com, checked 2026-11-06He wrote the first book over the following year.
Source: rickriordan.com, checked 2026-11-06About the author
Wikidata lists the occupation of Rick Riordan as teacher.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists Rick Riordan as educated at University of Texas System.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Before writing full time, Riordan taught English and history in middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and Texas for fifteen years.
Source: rickriordan.com, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Rick Riordan: Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original (1998).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Rick Riordan: Shamus Award (1998).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Rick Riordan: Edgar Awards (1999).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists an award for Rick Riordan: Geffen Award (2016).
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06His site says his adult Tres Navarre mysteries won the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus awards.
Source: rickriordan.com, checked 2026-11-06Beyond the books
Wikidata lists Percy Jackson & the Olympians (film series, 2010), based on Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Wikidata lists Percy Jackson and the Olympians (television series), based on Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
Source: wikidata.org, checked 2026-11-06Common questions
What order should I read a series in?
Start with publication order, the order the books first came out. When a series also has a story order that differs, the series page shows both and says why, so you can choose.
Which book should I start with?
Look for the Start here marker. It sits on the first book of the main list, unless the author's own page recommends a different first book, and the reason is printed beside it. It is not a ranking or a review.
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Where do these facts come from?
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