Book details
The Giant-Slayer
Description
A girls imagination transports polio-afflicted kids into a fantastic world.The spring of 1955 tests Laurie Valentines gifts as a storyteller. After her friend Dickie contracts polio and finds himself confined to an iron lung, Laurie visits him in the hospital. There she meets Carolyn and Chip, two other kids trapped inside the breathing machines. Lauries first impulse is to flee, but Dickie begs her to tell them a story. And so Laurie begins her tale of Collosso, a rampaging giant, and Jimmy, a tiny boy whose destiny is to become a slayer of giants.As Laurie embellishes her tale with gnomes, unicorns, gryphons, and other fanciful creatures, Dickie comes to believe that he is a character in her story. Little by little Carolyn, Chip, and other kids who come to listen, recognize counterparts as well. Lauries tale is so powerful that when shes prevented from continuing it, Dickie, Carolyn, and Chip take turns as narrators. Each helps bring the story of Collosso and Jimmy to an endchanging the lives of those in the polio ward in startling ways.From the Hardcover edition.
Age
8-12
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
224 pages
Why to read
- Engaging Storytelling: 'The Giant-Slayer' by Iain Lawrence is known for its captivating narrative that weaves together adventure, fantasy, and historical elements, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.
- Rich Characters: The book features a diverse cast of well-developed characters, each with their own unique personalities and backgrounds, allowing readers to form deep connections and empathize with their journeys.
- Themes of Courage and Friendship: The story explores profound themes such as the courage to face one's fears and the importance of friendship, providing valuable lessons and insights for readers of all ages.
- Imaginative Setting: Lawrence creates a vivid and imaginative world within the story, blending the reality of the 1950s polio epidemic with a fantastical realm, offering an escape into a richly detailed and thought-provoking setting.