The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief
First edition cover
AuthorRick Riordan
Cover artistPeter Bollinger
John Rocco (later edition matching the sequels)
SeriesPercy Jackson & the Olympians (book 1)
GenreFantasy, Children, Greek mythology adventure
PublisherMiramax Books
Puffin Books, Disney-Hyperion
Publication date
July 1, 2005 (hardcover)
April 1, 2006 (paperback)
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover), audiobook CD
Pages377
ISBN0-7868-5629-7
OCLC60786141
LC ClassPZ7.R4829 Li 2005
Followed byThe Sea of Monsters 

The Lightning Thief is a 2005 American fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology, the first children's novel by Rick Riordan. The opening installment in the series Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the book was recognized among the year's best for children. Riordan followed the novel with various books and spin-off series, spawning the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles media franchise.

A film adaptation of the book was theatrically released in the United States on February 12, 2010. The Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians adapted The Lightning Thief in its first season, which ran from December 19, 2023 to January 30, 2024.