Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief — Chapter 6

About This Passage

This passage is Percy's first conscious experience of his water powers. The 'tug in the pit of my stomach' connects to the fountain incident in Chapter 1, but this time Percy is aware of it happening. The dry circle around him is the biggest clue yet about who Percy's father is — he controls water, and water does not touch him.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.

Discussion Questions

1. Annabeth tells Percy that his dyslexia means his brain is 'hardwired for Ancient Greek' and his ADHD means he has 'battlefield reflexes.' All the things Percy thought were wrong with him might actually be superpowers. How do you think Percy felt hearing this? What in the story makes you think so?
2. When Clarisse tries to dunk Percy's head in the toilet, water shoots out and blasts Clarisse and her friends away. But Percy is completely dry — not one drop on him. Why do you think the author makes Percy dry while everyone else is soaked? What might this mean about who Percy's father is? What in the story makes you think so?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide