Allie Frymire 1680 Lovejoy Lane Collierville, TN, 38017

Dear Mr. Riordan, Are you a demigod? I wish I was. Surely the threat of evil forces and monsters pales in comparison to being the spawn of a Greek god. Perhaps the appeal of a world beyond my own little bubble is what draws my eye to the window when in class. The courtyard of our small campus is home to monsters, as well. Satyrs dance across the grass in the spring, playing alluring melodies on their pan flutes while demigods fight with celestial bronze swords, weaving in and out of the great oak trees. However, when my mortal foot touches the place where my myths play, they vanish into the humid air as if becoming vapor. Shadows of dryads and naiads dance on the tops of trees and the delicate surface of the water in the corner of my eye, but when I turn my head, they withdraw back into my imagination. In the routine of daily life, my subconscious lingers in the universes of books read and to be read. Nose buried in a book, I feel as if I exist as a part of something beyond myself, and when I am lost, I remember where I belong. Maybe this is why my mind tends to linger in the universes of previously read books even when the words are not there. My life has deprived me of adventure; I am forever stuck in the ignorance and somniferous order of routine: wake early, go to school, then volleyball, complete my homework, and sleep again. I would trudge on day by day, trapped in glass cage where myths are just that, myths. I cant help but wish they were real, that the figures that chased each other with swords and silver-tipped arrows would show themselves to me, and lead me somewhere besides this empty world. Though my logic often tells me my dreams are only false creations of the mind, my imagination considers otherwise. After having stayed at home all summer, my dreams grow more real. In class, I fade from the words of the teacher and stare out the door, secretly praying that a certain demigod with eyes greener than the skin of a dryad and hair like the night would charge in and whisk me awayHow childish! But arent we all children, trapped in growing bodies and burdened with responsibility? We have grown out of fantasies such as these, but am I the only one who dreams of something more? Your books seemed to have unlocked the door to a new world of imagination and voyages of splendor. Car rides and study halls, once filled with serene silence, now are battlegrounds and dungeons filled with mystery. However, my imagination has not always been so vivid and untamed. I moved here from Orlando, Florida as I was about to start fifth grade, and the transition was challenging to say the least. The people I had grown up with were miles away, and my Memphis home seemed empty.

Similar to Percy Jackson in your first novel, I was bullied at my new school and had little comfort. With no corporeal friends to really turn to, I settled on books. This is when I first opened up your first novel: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Perhaps the appeal of something better than what I had is what drew me in. This victim was transformed into a daughter of Athena. Although I wasnt able to have a fountain attack my bullies from behind like Percy, I was able to leave to a new school the following year, and my situation improved vastly. I might not be bullied, but I still dream of a new challenge, a new adventure. I imagine that I am Annabeth when Im in class solving math problems in my head or dreaming about architectural schemes. Im always wishing that a silver owl would appear over my head, and I will be able to live a heros life. After long thought, I think Ive finally figured out how to live my dream. To be a demigod, I dont have to be son or daughter of a god. No, I just have to be brave. Being brave is the true element in making a hero. Courage is the ability to stand up for what I know is wrong, or what is dangerous, even though Im scared. As a matter of fact, the majority of my life Ive been scared of something. Be it the dark or failing a test, I was still afraid. Thats what makes a real hero: bravery. I dont need special powers or a magic sword or even a friend whos half-goat (bottom half, that is). Im going to ask one more time: are you a demigod? I know I certainly am. Even though I may not be a powerful child of Poseidon or a genius daughter of Athena like Annabeth, I will always try my best to act like they do, like a true hero. So, next time Im scared, Ill charge into the fray, imaginary sword in hand, slashing and swinging, with the courage of a real demigod. Sincerely, Allie Frymire