The BookKids Blog!

When a copy of The Lightning Thief first started making the rounds at BookPeople back in the spring of 2005, our children’s book buyer handed it to store employee Topher Bradfield, saying, “I really think you’ll like this.” Unbeknownst to her, Topher wouldn’t just like the book; he would adopt it as his one true literary love and purpose in bookselling life for the next four years.

Soon Topher was reading the first chapter aloud to anyone who would listen and could often be found following customers around, performing it while they browsed. Random travelers in airports were not exempt from this treatment.

A few months later, at our first event with the author, Rick Riordan, Topher casually made a vow to put the book into the hands of every kid in Austin. I’m sure Rick was flattered, but he could not have known how deadly serious this wild-eyed bookseller standing in front of him would turn out to be.

As Topher and the rest of the staff spread the word, sales quickly accelerated instore. But it was when Topher got a manuscript for Riordan’s second book, The Sea of Monsters, to read to fans, that inspiration really struck. Motivated by a kid’s comment, Topher came up with the extraordinary idea to recreate the world of the series in a summer camp setting, where kids could truly immerse themselves in Riordan’s world.

Excitement for the first Camp Half-Blood in 2006 exceeded all expectations, leading to the establishment of BookPeople’s innovative, nationally renowned literary camp program. The success of the camps continues to grow, with over 300 kids from around the world scheduled to attend six summer sessions in 2009 and even more signed up for the waiting list.

But the camps are only one part of how we celebrate Riordan’s series each year. The release of The Titan’s Curse in 2007 brought two special surprises: Rick’s dedication of the book to Topher for his unbelievable hard work and the announcement that BookPeople would be asked to host the World Release Party for the third installment in Riordan’s now nationally best-selling series. Our annual World Release Parties have continued to expand, with over 3,000 fans, tons of local vendors, and one very large centaur making 2008’s release party of The Battle of the Labyrinth the most unforgettable event yet.

This year brings the bittersweet finale to the Percy Jackson saga with the highly anticipated The Last Olympian, and we expect turnout for the World Release Party to be bigger than ever. So come to BookPeople’s parking lot on May 5^th at 4PM to celebrate the triumphant end of a best-selling series and the culmination of a four-year phenomenon that has swept us all up in its excitement and offered us a brand-new way to read.