"My name is Percy Jackson. I'm twelve years old. #1

(Main character)

"All the way into the city, I put up with Nancy Bobofit, the freckly, redheaded KLEPTOMANIAC girl, hitting my best friend Grover in the back of the head with chunks of peanut butter-and-ketchup sandwich." #3

Based on what Percy is referring to, I think kleptomaniac means violent or crazy.

A kleptomaniac has an impulse control disorder characterized by recurrent, irresistible urges to steal items, often without need or for their economic value, followed by feelings of pleasure, guilt, and shame.

" All the way into the city, I put up with Nancy Bobofit, the freckly, redheaded KLEPTOMANIAC girl," #3

(Percy's bully)

"But Mr.Brunner, our Latin teacher- Mr.Brunner was this middle-aged guy in a motorized wheelchair. He had thinning hair and a scruffy beard and a frayed jacket that always smelled like coffee. #2

(Percy's Latin teacher).

" Grover was an easy target. He was scrawny. He cried when he got frustrated. He must've been held back several grades, because he was the only sixth grader with acne and the start of a wispy beard on his chin." #3

(Percy's only best friend)

"Ms.Dodds was this little math teacher from Georgia who always wore a black leather jacket, even though she was fifty years old." #4

(Percy's mean math teacher.)

Ms.Dodds is a Fury named Alecto.

" Then the weirdest thing happened. Her eyes began to glow like barbecue coals. Her fingers stretched, turning into talons. Her jacket melted into large, leathery wings. She wasn’t human. She was a shriveled hag with bat wings and claws and a mouth full of yellow fangs, and she was about to slice me to ribbons." #11

A Fury is a winged, bat-like features, snaky hair, claws, and glowing eyes a monster from Greek Mythology who praised Hades.

Grover is a satyr.

" Grover ran for the Camaro—but he wasn't running, exactly. He was trotting, shaking his shaggy hindquarters, and suddenly his story about a muscular disorder in his legs made sense to me. I understood how he could run so fast and still limp when he walked. Because where his feet should be, there were no feet. There were cloven hooves." #25

A satyr is a person with the upper body of a human but they have the lower body of a goat, with a tail, hooves, pointed ears, and small horns.

"“Percy,” my mother said, “we have to . . .” Her voice faltered." #28

I think faltered means to stutter or have an uneasy way of speaking.

Falter means to hesitate, lose strength, or move unsteadily, either in speech, or movement.

"“You do know how to play pinochle?” Mr. D eyed me suspiciously.- The camp director dealt the cards. Grover flinched every time one landed in his pile.- He explained, impatiently, how you bid in pinochle, and so I did" #65-66

I think pinochle is a type of card game that's very intense.

Pinochle is a trick-taking card game played by two teams of two with a 48-card deck, featuring two copies of each 9, 10, King, Queen, Jack, and Ace.

"I looked over. The big girl from the ugly red cabin was sauntering toward us. She had three other girls behind her, all big and ugly and mean looking like her, all wearing camo jackets. “Clarisse,” Annabeth sighed."

Clarisse is another one of Percy's bullies.

"Cabin two was more graceful somehow, with slimmer columns garlanded with pomegranates and flowers."

I think garland is some kind of decoration like strings that can wrap around stuff.

Garlanded means something that is crowned or adorned with a garland, which is a ring or chain of flowers, leaves, or other decorative material.

. "It was marred by that scar on his right cheek, but his smile was intact."

I think marred is like a scar or marking.

damaged or spoiled to a certain extent; made less perfect, attractive, useful,

"Hades let the worst monsters out of Tartarus to torment Thalia. A satyr was assigned to be her keeper when she was twelve, but there was nothing he could do."#114

Thalia is one of Zeus's children.

"He didn’t complain, even when he had to desnag a stray arrow out of his tail."#107

I think desnag means to detach from something.

The process of re-inspecting a property to ensure that any defects or issues previously identified in an initial "snagging report" have been correctly and completely fixed

Poseidon is Percy's dad, and is the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.

"I was too tired to argue. I stepped back into the creek, the whole camp gathering around me. Instantly, I felt better. I could feel the cuts on my chest closing up. Some of the campers gasped. “Look, I—I don’t know why,” I said, trying to apologize. “I’m sorry. . . .” But they weren’t watching my wounds heal. They were staring at something above my head. “Percy,” Annabeth said, pointing. “Um . . .” By the time I looked up, the sign was already fading, but I could still make out the hologram of green light, spinning and gleaming. A three-tipped spear: a trident. “Your father,” Annabeth murmured. “This is really not good.” “It is determined,” Chiron announced. All around me, campers started kneeling, even the Ares cabin, though they didn’t look happy about it. “My father?” I asked, completely bewildered. “Poseidon,” said Chiron. “Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God.”#113

"I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach, seeker, and ask." #140

Spirit of Delphi

"My ears were still tingling from the reptilian voice." #142

I think reptilian is a weird way of speaking.

Reptilian is considered cold-blooded, treacherous, or base.

Mount Etna is a mountain in Percy's world/universe.

"The first weapon made by the Cyclopes for the war against the Titans, the bolt that sheered the top off Mount Etna and hurled Kronos from his throne; the master bolt, which packs enough power to make mortal hydrogen bombs look like firecrackers.” #135

"“This is Argus,” Chiron told me. “He will drive you into the city, and, er, well, keep an eye on things.""#150

Argus is Percy's and his friend's taxi driver.

"Today, though, he was wearing a chauffeur’s uniform, so I could only see extra peepers on his hands, face and neck."#150

I think peepers mean to peep at someone.

"A person who peeps at someone or something, especially in a voyeuristic way."

"“Its name is Anaklusmos.” “‘Riptide,’” I translated, surprised the Ancient Greek came so easily.""#153

Anaklusmos, also known as Riptide, is the name of Percy Jackson's sword in Rick Riordan's books, a double-edged weapon made of celestial bronze that can only harm monsters and immortals.

"“Oh, my dears,” the woman said. “You must come in, poor children. I am Aunty Em. Go straight through to the back of the warehouse, please. There is a dining area.”"#173

Aunty Em is the head of one of the gas stations where the kids eat their food.

"“They’re not going to like that,” Grover warned. “They’ll think you’re impertinent.” I poured some golden drachmas in the pouch. As soon as I closed it, there was a sound like a cash register. The package floated off the table and disappeared with a pop! “I am impertinent,” I said."#186

I think impertinence means to be rude or being disrespectful to someone.

Impertinent means either rudely disobedient or disrespectful or not relevant to the matter at hand.

"I fought the urge to obey. Instead I looked to one side and saw one of those glass spheres people put in gardens— a gazing ball. I could see Aunty Em’s dark reflection in the orange glass; her headdress was gone, revealing her face as a shimmering pale circle. Her hair was moving, writhing like serpents. Aunty Em. Aunty “M.” How could I have been so stupid? Think, I told myself. How did Medusa die in the myth?"#179-180

Medusa is actually Aunty Em in disguise. Medusa, one of the Gorgons, was a mortal woman who was transformed into a monstrous being by the goddess Athena after being raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple. Her hair became snakes, and her gaze could turn onlookers to stone.

"Grover ignored the question. "Percy, meet Gladiola. Gladiola, Percy."" -195

Gladiola is the pink poodle that Grover adopted.

"Cold laughter echoed from the chasm."-194

I think chasm is something like a huge tunnel or cave.

a deep fissure in the earth, rock, or another surface.

""The God of Wild Places disappeared two thousand years ago," he told me. "A sailor off the coast of Ephesos heard a mysterious voice crying out from the shore, 'Tell them that the great god Pan has died!' When humans heard the news, they believed it. They've been pillaging Pan's kingdom ever since. But for the satyrs, Pan was our lord and master. He protected us and the wild places of the earth. We refuse to believe that he died. In every generation, the bravest satyrs pledge their lives to finding Pan. They search the earth, exploring all the wildest places, hoping to find where he is hidden, and wake him from his sleep.""#189

Pan is the Greek god of the wild, forests, shepherds, flocks, and rustic music.

"We got shoehorned into the car with this big fat lady and her dog, a Chihuahua with a rhinestone collar. I figured maybe the dog was a seeing-eye Chihuahua, because none of the guards said a word about it."#205

I think shoehorned means to be crammed in a tight, small space.

"Shoehorned" means to force something into a tight space or a limited time frame, making it a difficult fit.

"For I am the Mother of Monsters, the terrible Echidna!"#208

In Greek mythology, Echidna was the "Mother of All Monsters," a monstrous half-woman, half-serpent who gave birth to many legendary creatures with her mate, the monster Typhon

"I tried to push through the crowd to see what was going on inside the police line. “. . . an adolescent boy,” another reporter was saying. “Channel Five has learned that surveillance cameras show an adolescent boy going wild on the observation deck, somehow setting off this freak explosion. Hard to believe, John, but that’s what we’re hearing. Again, no confirmed fatalities . . .”"#216

I think adolescent means to be young, or a minor.

An adolescent is a young person, typically between the ages of 10 and 19, who is undergoing the transition from childhood to adulthood

""You're Clarrise's dad," I said. "Ares, god of war.""#226

Ares is the Greek god of war, embodying the brutal, violent, and chaotic aspects of combat and conflict, unlike his sister Athena who represents wisdom in warfare.

"Grover’s lower lip quivered. I was afraid he would start bleating, or worse, start eating the linoleum. Annabeth looked ready to pass out from hunger."#224

I think linoleum is a type of cement or flooring.

Linoleum is an environmentally friendly floor covering made from natural materials like solidified linseed oil, pine resin, ground cork dust, and wood flour, pressed onto a fabric backing.

"The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I felt. So I’d gotten lucky a few times before. Against a thing like the Chimera, I had never stood a chance."#217

A chimera can refer to the Greek mythical creature—a fire-breathing hybrid typically depicted as a lion with a goat's head on its back and a serpent for a tail

"He fed in the quarters and set the knob to FINE MIST. “I-M’ing.” “Instant messaging?” “Iris-messaging,” Annabeth corrected. “The rainbow goddess Iris carries messages for the gods. If you know how to ask, and she’s not too busy, she’ll do the same for half-bloods.”"#220

Iris is the Greek goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for the gods, often serving Hera.

"He held out the cards, and I wanted one. I knew that if I took one, I’d never leave. I’d stay here, happy forever, playing games forever, and soon I’d forget my mom, and my quest, and maybe even my own name. I’d be playing virtual rifleman with groovy Disco Darrin forever."#264

Disco Darren is someone that was stuck in the hotel forever.

"“You hot, big boy?” he asked the lion, then splashed the rest of the bucket right in the lion’s face. The lion roared in indignation. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” the man said"#254

I think indignation means to be angry or upset at something.

Indignation is strong displeasure or anger caused by something you consider unjust, offensive, or insulting.

"“It’s just . . .” She shuddered. “Spiders.” “Because of the Arachne story,” I guessed. “She got turned into a spider for challenging your mom to a weaving contest, right?” Annabeth nodded. “Arachne’s children have been taking revenge on the children of Athena ever since."#247

Arachne means "spider" in Greek and is a figure from Greek mythology famous for being a skilled weaver who challenged the goddess Athena.

"The shirt was silk paisley, unbuttoned halfway down his hairless chest. The lapels on his velvet jacket were as wide as landing strips. The silver chains around his neck—I couldn’t even count them. “I’m Crusty,” he said, with a tartar-yellow smile."#277

Crusty is the alias of Procrustes, a son of Poseidon and a minor antagonist in the Percy Jackson series.

"“There you have it, America.” Barbara Walters turned to the camera. “A man torn apart. An adolescent boy with serious issues. Let me show you, again, the last known photo of this troubled young fugitive, taken a week ago in Denver.”"#275

I think fugitive means for someone to try to escape from a place.

A "fugitive" is a person who flees or escapes, most commonly one who flees from law enforcement after being accused of a crime.

"“Yes, child. I am a Nereid, a spirit of the sea. It was not easy to appear so far upriver, but the naiads, my freshwater cousins, helped sustain my life force. They honor Lord Poseidon, though they do not serve in his court.”"#271

A "Nereid" can refer to a mythological sea nymph, a moon of Neptune, or a type of marine worm.

"He pinched the name tag and ran his finger under the letters. “Can you read this, mate? It says C-HA-R-O-N. Say it with me: CARE-ON.” “Charon.” “Amazing! Now: Mr. Charon.” “Mr. Charon,” I said."#285

Mr.Charon is the Underworld's ferryman, a daimon who transports the souls of the dead across the River Styx for a fee.

"Mist curled off the filthy water. Above us, almost lost in the gloom, was a ceiling of stalactites."#289

I think stalicites are little or huge icicles hanging from a cave or ledge.

a tapering structure hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water.

"The howling of the hungry animal was really loud now, but I couldn’t see where it was coming from. The three-headed dog, Cerberus, who was supposed to guard Hades’s door, was nowhere to be seen."#291

Cerberus is a mythical creature or a variety of modern things, most commonly the three-headed dog from Greek mythology that guards the underworld.

"The room inside looked just like in my dream, except this time the throne of Hades was occupied. He was the third god I’d met, but the first who really struck me as godlike. He was at least ten feet tall, for one thing, and dressed in black silk robes and a crown of braided gold. His skin was albino white, his hair shoulder-length and jet black. He wasn’t bulked up like Ares, but he radiated power. He lounged on his throne of fused human bones, looking lithe, graceful, and dangerous as a panther."#309

Hades is the god of the Underworld and ruler of the dead, though he is not considered a villain.

"Above the parapets swirled three dark batlike creatures: the Furies. I got the feeling they were waiting for us."#302

I think parapets are something like a fence or border around a bridge.

Parapets are a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.

"Annabeth heard it too, now. I could see it in her eyes. “Tartarus. The entrance to Tartarus.”"#305

Tartarus is a primordial deity and the deepest, darkest pit in the Greek underworld, used as a gloomy prison for powerful beings like the Titans and other punished souls

"Zeus, the Lord of the Gods, wore a dark blue pinstriped suit. He sat on a simple throne of solid platinum. He had a well-trimmed beard, marbled gray and black like a storm cloud. His face was proud and handsome and grim, his eyes rainy gray."#339

Zeus is the King of the Olympians, the Greek god of the sky and lightning, and a key character who is both a supporting figure and a source of conflict.

"An enormous fire crackled in the central hearth pit."#339

I think hearth is like a firplace or some force of house fire.

Hearth is a firepit or other fireplace feature of any period.

"“Sir,” I said, “what was in that pit?” Poseidon regarded me. “Have you not guessed?” “Kronos,” I said. “The king of the Titans.” Even in the throne room of Olympus, far away from Tartarus, the name Kronos darkened the room, made the hearth fire seem not quite so warm on my back."#344

Kronos is the evil Titan Lord of Time, who is the father of Zeus and the rest of the Elder Gods and the main antagonist of the first series.