I am committed to writing appropriate books for the middle grades. This means no bad language, no gratuitous or explicit violence, and no sexual content beyond what you might find in a PG-rated movie โ expressions of who likes whom, holding hands, and perhaps the occasional kiss. The idea that we should treat sexual orientation itself as an adults-only topic, however, is absurd. Non-heterosexual children exist. To pretend they do not, to fail to recognize that they have needs for support and validation like any child, would be bad teaching, bad writing, and bad citizenship.
Rick RiordanThat sounded about as likely as Apophis and Ra becoming Facebook buddies, but I decided not to say anything.
Rick RiordanShe was beautiful in combat. I know thatโs a crazy thing to say, especially after weโd just climbed a sewage waterfall, but her gray eyes sparkled when she was fighting for her life. Her face shone like a goddessโs, and believe me, Iโve seen goddesses. The way her Camp Half-Blood beads rested against her throatโOkay, sorry. Got a little distracted.
Rick RiordanSadie got up and kissed Amos on the forehead. โLeave it to us, Uncle. Iโve got a plan.โ โThat,โ I said, โsounds like very bad news.
Rick RiordanNow, I figured that the built-up gas in most boys' locker rooms was enough to cause an explosion, so I wasn't surprised when the flaming dodgeball ignited a huge WHOOOOOOOM!
Rick RiordanA person's shadow stood for his legacy, his impact on the world. Some people cast hardly any shadow at all. Some cast long, deep shadows that endured for centuries.
Rick RiordanOnce she was gone, I knelt next to Annabeth and felt her forehead. She was still burning up. "You're cute when you're worried," she muttered. "Your eyebrows get all scrunched together." "You are not going to die while I owe you a favor," I said. "Why did you take that knife?" "You would've done the same for me." It was true. I guess we both knew it. Still, I felt like somebody was poking my heart with a cold metal rod.
Rick Riordan