Once you are up to date you can choose one of the following tasks

1. Percy’s letter to his dad. Imagine Percy has to write a letter to his father, Poseidon, explaining the choice he made not to petrify Gabe. What would he say? How would he explain his choice? Would he want to tell his father anything else? Any wishes or requests?
2.  Journal: Annabeth’s (or Grover’s) Diary. Annabeth and Grover have very different views of the battle with Ares. Annabeth calls it terrifying. Grover thinks it’s cool. Write a diary entry for either Annabeth or Grover, explaining what happened that day on the beach.
3. Make an Advertisement for Crusty’s Waterbed Palace. Crusty has hired you to advertise his fabulous waterbeds. Make a magazine ad for him. How would you attract customers? What special deals would you promise? If you prefer, you can write a television commercial for the Waterbed Palace and either perform it live or record it. 
4. Journal: The Perfect Trap. The Lotus Casino is designed to make kids never want to leave. Do you think it would keep you entranced? Write a description of a place that would be a “perfect trap” to keep you there forever. What would such a place look like? What activities would be available? What kind of food? 
5.  Journal: Time Travel. Time travels slowly in the Lotus Casino. Darrin has been there since the 1970s but he’s still a kid, and it seems to him that he’s only been there a few days. Would you like to spend some time in the Lotus Casino? How far ahead in time would you like to travel before you stepped outside? Remember, though, you could never go back.
6. If you have another fantastic idea of an activity you would like to do let me know. 

Final Chapter

1. Journal questions for anticipatory discussion:

a.      Have you ever betrayed or let down by a friend? Is that person still your friend? If so, how did you make up?

b.      If someone knew something really bad that was going to happen in your life, and there was nothing you could do about it, would you rather have them tell you or keep it a secret? Why?

As You Read:

1. What’s the tradition for campers who return from quests? How did the Ares cabin “honor” Percy?
2. How does Percy’s mom get enough money to go to college?
3. What happens to Grover in this chapter? Speculate: Will he come back in another book?
4. What is the bead for Percy’s first summer?
5. Why do you think Percy has so much trouble deciding whether to stay year round or go to seventh grade? What would you choose?
6. What is unique about Backbiter, Luke’s new sword?
7. Why is it dangerous to litter at Camp Half-Blood?
8. Luke says, “Western Civilization is a disease.” What do you think he means by that?
9. What turned Luke so bitter?
10. How did Annabeth take Percy’s advice?

Follow-up Activities:

1. Wanted Poster. Now that we know Luke is the betrayer at Camp Half-Blood, design a wanted poster that can be posted around Mount Olympus. You will need to draw a picture of Luke, perhaps in the form of a mug shot. You will also need to include a physical description, a list of the crimes he is wanted for, the location where he was last scene, any special powers or weapons people should look out for, and a reward, if you want to offer one.

2. Percy’s choice. Write a paragraph defending or attacking Percy’s choice to leave Camp Half-Blood for the school year. Is it wise? Why or why not?

Chapter 21

1. When the Los Angeles reporters interview Percy, how does he get back at Gabe?
2. Why do Percy, Annabeth and Grover split up when they arrive back in New York?
3. How does Percy convince the guard at the Empire State Building to let him see Zeus?
4. What are some of the things Percy sees on his way through Olympus?
5. Why Percy start feeling a little sorry for Hades when he sees Zeus’ palace?
6. Percy says he is glad, in a strange way, that Poseidon is so distant. Why? Does this make sense to you?
7. How does Zeus reward Percy?
8. Who was speaking from the pit? Why do think Zeus doesn’t want to talk about it?
9. How do you think Poseidon feels about Percy? How can you tell?
10. Why doesn’t Percy petrify Gabe when he has the chance? What would you have done?