Annabeth Chase and the Male Gaze

In first grade, I devoured countless editions of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I stayed up reading about Emily Windsnap’s adventures as half-human, half-mermaid. I pored over Suzanne Collins’ every word and prepared myself to fight in the Hunger Games. By the end of elementary school, I was writing a sequel for James Riley’s Half Upon a Time. I wasn’t actively avoiding Percy or Harry — there were just too many great books to read and not enough time.