Giant by Judith McQuoid

What worked:

Davy and his mother become the primary moneymakers for their family, since the father can no longer work in the steel mill. Mother works for the Lewis family, and she expects Davy to work hard too. She isn’t pleased when Mrs. Lewis offers to pay Davy if he’ll play with her son, Jack. Davy is torn between the expectations of the two women. He enjoys playing with Jack but knows he’s not doing more laborious chores. Davy and Jack come from two very different backgrounds, so their days of friendship may be numbered. People in public make disparaging comments when the boys are together, and Davy’s mother tells him their future friendship can’t last.

Jack (the future author C.S. Lewis) is an avid reader with an energetic spirit. His imagination is contagious, and Davy discovers his own creativity is waiting to burst out. Young readers will enjoy the inventive stories they share in Jack’s playroom and the adventures they act out on a day trip. They might duel with swords during an enemy invasion, chase a phoenix, or create mental images of giants roaming the countryside or seashore. Both boys are gifted storytellers, but Davy realizes he has a special talent for drawing. He’s shocked when Jack says some artists make big money from the pictures they create. The contrast between the boys’ worlds produces a conflict throughout the book.

Jack has always loved stories, and Davy discovers he loves them too. The author includes references to classic literature, drawing on the books on Jack’s shelf and selections from the local bookstore. This exposes young readers to titles they might not know and reminds other readers that you can’t beat the classics. The story includes historical references from the early 1900s. The most notable topic is the Titanic, as it’s being built in Davy’s shipyard.

What didn’t work as well:

This book emphasizes relationships over high drama or action. The plot’s not complicated, so readers will need to be prepared for emotions and feelings rather than suspense. This strategy isn’t bad, but it may require mental adjustments by young readers.

The final verdict:

This heart-warming book finds two young boys bonding over a mutual love for stories and illustrations. While it’s inspired by the early life of C.S. Lewis, Davy is the main focus, as he struggles to overcome expectations from his mother and society. Overall, I recommend you give it a shot.