The Lost Hero

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Quest Map Creation”

In this activity, students will create a detailed, annotated map that traces the quest of Jason, Piper, and Leo throughout the novel, highlighting key locations, events, and challenges they encounter along the way.

The journey undertaken by Jason, Piper, and Leo is not just physical but symbolic, weaving through the realms of ancient myths and our contemporary world. In this activity, create a map and a narrative of their quest.

Part A:

• Start by listing the key locations visited by the characters throughout the book. Using the list of locations, sketch a rough outline and plot these points on the map.
• Draw the routes taken by the characters, using different line styles or colors to represent various modes of travel or significant journey phases.
• For each location, add a small symbol or drawing that represents an important event or challenge the characters faced there. Write a caption under each symbol explaining its significance to the story.

Part B:

• Alongside your map, write a concise overview of the journey, focusing on how each location moves the story forward. Think about how the characters grow or face challenges in these places.
• Use vivid language to describe the journey’s progression. For example, instead of “They traveled from A to B,” use specific verbs and modifiers: “They embarked on a perilous journey from the windswept cliffs of A to the mysterious forests of B.”

In your journal or reading notes, reflect on how the geographical journey mirrors the characters’ internal journeys. Consider how the settings influenced their growth or the story’s themes.

Teaching Suggestion: Students might work in pairs for this activity. One student could focus on the drawing, while the other could focus on the captions. After students have made their maps, they might present their narratives. In listening to the narratives, students might list questions and answers regarding the plot and characters to be used in reviewing for end-of-unit assessments.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students with executive functioning learning differences, it may be helpful to provide a template for the map. These students, as well as students with dysgraphia, may benefit from a digital option instead to create the map.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The narrative shifts between the viewpoints of Jason, Piper, and Leo, each offering a unique perspective on the events of the story.

• How do the differing perspectives of Jason, Piper, and Leo affect readers’ understanding of plot and character development? (topic sentence)
• Select one key event from the novel and analyze how it is presented differently through the eyes of Jason, Piper, and Leo. What does each perspective reveal about their individual characters and the broader narrative?
• In your conclusion, consider how a reader’s understanding of the story would be different if the tale was told through the perspective of only one of the characters.

2. Riordan reimagines classical myths, placing mythic characters into a contemporary setting and narrative.

• How does the author’s depiction of either Medea, King Midas, or Lycaon diverge from their original portrayals in myth? (topic sentence)
• Analyze how the author’s version of your chosen character impacts the story. Consider changes in character motivation and the role they play in the novel’s plot.
• In your concluding sentences, briefly discuss what the author’s reinterpretations suggest about the timeless nature of these myths.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. The main characters frequently encounter moments during which they must sacrifice for their parents or vice versa. Examine these instances and discuss the implications on the characters’ values and the overarching theme of Bonds Between Parents and Children. How do these sacrifices showcase the characters’ priorities and growth, and how do they highlight the characters’ strengths or weaknesses? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, explore the impact of these sacrifices on the characters’ journeys and their relationships with others. In your essay, provide specific examples from the book to substantiate your points.

2. Discuss the role of prophecy in the narrative structure of The Lost Hero. How does Riordan use prophecy to build suspense, develop themes, and shape the reader’s expectations? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, analyze and discuss how the unfolding of prophecies aligns with or diverges from the characters’ and readers’ expectations, particularly in key plot twists and character developments. In your essay, provide examples and details from the book to substantiate your points.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. In what way does the encounter with Aeolus highlight the unpredictability of divine assistance?

A) His neutrality makes him unreliable.

B) His mood swings lead to inconsistent help.

C) His fear of the gods overrides his judgment.

D) His desire for fame affects his decisions.

2. How does the introduction of the Roman gods and their aspects affect the demigods’ understanding of their own identities and abilities?

A) It broadens their understanding of their powers, recognizing the dual aspects of their divine parentage.

B) It has little effect, as the demigods continue to identify primarily with their Greek heritage.

C) It causes division among the demigods, as they choose sides between the Greek and Roman aspects.

D) It creates a crisis of identity, as they struggle to understand which aspect they are more closely aligned with.

3. How does the Wilderness School’s setting at the beginning of the novel foreshadow the challenges Jason, Piper, and Leo will face?

A) Its remote location symbolizes the isolation they will feel from their previous lives.

B) The school’s structure reflects the rigid hierarchy they will encounter among the gods.

C) The diverse student body foreshadows the various allies they will meet on their quest.

D) The harsh environment mirrors the difficult journey ahead of them.

4. What does the effectiveness of Piper’s charmspeak against Medea imply about the nature of powers?

A) The effectiveness of charmspeak relies on the user’s experience and skill.

B) Medea’s powers have diminished over time, leaving her vulnerable to Piper’s influence.

C) Piper’s charmspeak gains strength from her good intentions.

D) Medea deliberately lets herself be influenced by Piper as part of a deeper plan.

5. How does the novel’s depiction of wars between gods and giants serve as a metaphor for climate change?

A) The gods and giants represent opposing viewpoints in the climate change debate.

B) The wars emphasize the role of prophecies in understanding climate change.

C) The wars cause natural disasters, mirroring the real-world impact of climate change on the environment.

D) The demigods’ involvement in the wars suggests that climate change can be easily solved by individual heroes.

6. What is Enceladus’s primary goal in capturing Piper’s father?

A) To lure Jason into a trap as part of a larger scheme against the Olympians

B) To gain leverage over the gods by threatening a mortal loved by a demigod

C) To create discord among the demigods and weaken their resolve

D) To harness the mortal’s knowledge for his own benefit

7. In what way does Jason’s relationship with Thalia influence his decisions and actions?

A) Jason becomes overprotective of Thalia, making reckless decisions to ensure her safety.

B) Thalia’s commitment to her cause motivates Jason to remain loyal to his friends.

C) Jason constantly seeks Thalia’s approval, making decisions he believes will impress her.

D) Thalia inspires Jason to embrace his own role as a leader more confidently.

8. In what way does Leo’s relationship with Festus reflect his character traits and development?

A) It showcases his loneliness, as he prefers the company of machines to people.

B) It highlights his ingenuity and ability to find unconventional solutions to problems.

C) It demonstrates his fear of fire, given Festus’s fiery nature.

D) It emphasizes Leo’s utilitarian approach to life, as the relationship is purely practical.

9. How does the prophecy highlight the theme of Power and Responsibility?

A) Accepting a prophecy’s role means using power wisely to achieve it.

B) Prophecies mean no responsibility because the future is already set.

C) Prophecies target the powerful, lifting common responsibilities.

D) Disregarding the prophecy shows a lack of care for their powers.

10. In what way does King Midas’s character contrast with the demigods’ journey?

A) His immortality contrasts with the demigods’ vulnerability and mortality.

B) His contentment with his power contrasts with their constant struggle for improvement.

C) His isolation contrasts with their teamwork and reliance on each other.

D) His singular focus on wealth contrasts with their quest for knowledge and growth.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. What role does Lupa play in the story, particularly in relation to the Wolf House?

2. Discuss Coach Hedge’s approach to mentorship and how it affects his relationship with the demigods.