Rick Riordan is the author of "The Lightning Thief," the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which reimagines Greek mythology in a modern-day setting where the gods are real and their demigod children attend a hidden summer camp. The novel follows Percy Jackson as he discovers his divine heritage and becomes entangled in a conflict among the Olympian deities. Riordan has become widely known for bringing classical mythology to life for young adult audiences through this influential fantasy series.