"The Lightning Thief" is a rock musical about the modern-day kids of Greek gods like Poseidon and Athena — parents who are too busy running the universe to notice if their child gets kicked out of yet another school.

And of course, since these kids are teenagers, they want to rebel. Only in their case, rebelling means going on a quest to prove themselves. 

Based on a series of best-selling books for middle grade readers by Rick Riordan, the musical, like the books, focuses on one of those kids, Percy Jackson, as he battles his monsters on his way to fulfilling his quest. Not personal demons — that would have made the show more interesting — but actual monsters, like a not-so-scary puppet Minotaur.

Fans of the books have a lot to love here, since the adaptation is so faithful. In addition to Percy, we meet his friends Annabeth and Grover spend time at Camp Half-Blood, where all the demigods go. (Never read the books but think "Camp Half-Blood" sounds familiar? You've probably seen dozens of kids on the subway wearing the t-shirt from the Brooklyn camp.)

And — like the camp — the show has a DIY aesthetic. A "bus" is constructed from pipes and boards and wheels. The set is mostly bare, except for some scaffolding toward the back. A bad guy is knocked down by free-flying toilet paper that's propelled by leaf blower.  Even the sword fights feel less choreographed and more, "Hey, let's put on a show in the backyard!"

For kids 6 and up, this is thrilling stuff; who doesn't like to be a vicarious hero? But grownups without kids can safely turn the page.

"The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical," book by Joe Tracz, music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki at the Longacre Theatre through Jan. 5.