"The Lightning Thief" is a fantasy novel by Rick Riordan that follows the adventure of a young boy named Percy Jackson. He discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and is accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt. This revelation thrusts Percy into a world filled with Greek mythology, where he must embark on a quest to clear his name and prevent a war among the gods.
Throughout his journey, Percy is joined by friends Annabeth Chase, a daughter of Athena, and Grover, a satyr. Together, they travel across the United States to recover the stolen bolt, confronting numerous mythological creatures and challenges along the way. The story highlights themes of friendship, bravery, and the importance of believing in oneself, as Percy learns to embrace his identity and destiny.