I think that kids have a greater capacity for processing things than we give them credit for. Rick Riordan capacitycreditgive Change image and share on social
We tend to think of divorced or complicated families as a modern invention, and that is not at all true. You only have to read the Greek myths to see broken homes, widows, divorce, stepchildren, children trying to get along with new parents. Rick Riordan breakchildcomplicate share on social
I've been reading Greek mythology since I was a kid. I also taught it when I was a sixth grade teacher, so I knew a lot of mythological monsters already. Sometimes I still use books and Web sites to research, though. Every time I research Greek mythology, I learn something new! Rick Riordan bookgradegreek share on social
I always love it when I hear back from kids who say they discovered Percy Jackson and now wear their learning difference as a badge of honour. Rick Riordan backbadgedifference Change image and share on social
I think kids want the same thing from a book that adults want - a fast-paced story, characters worth caring about, humor, surprises, and mystery. A good book always keeps you asking questions, and makes you keep turning pages so you can find out the answers. Rick Riordan adultanswerbook share on social
I can't actually wrap my mind around it easily - I can't really visualize what 2 million books looks like... So I try to keep it real for myself by focusing on individual anecdotes of how my books have helped kids learn to love reading. Rick Riordan anecdotebookeasily share on social
I tend to think of a myth and then explore how it would play out if it were happening in the modern-day world. I modify all the myths I use, but I stick very closely to their structure - it is the hidden teacher in me. Rick Riordan closelydayexplore share on social
I think children love reading, and they will make time for it if we put the right books into their hands. And I hope I get the chance to keep being one of the people that writes them. Rick Riordan bookchancechild Change image and share on social
I go back and research, say, every reference to the Gorgons, and I find what the classical writers said about them and it's so much richer than you might get in an average Greek mythology text. I feel like an archaeologist - I'm dusting off these things that people have not seen for thousands of years and bringing them into the modern world. Rick Riordan archaeologistaverageback share on social
I sometimes look at my bookshelves today and wonder which volumes my sons will treasure in twenty or thirty years. Which should I be saving for them? Which will fade with time? Rick Riordan bookshelffadesave Change image and share on social