The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin

What worked:

This book has a giant role reversal, pun intended. Readers meet a young giant named Corman as he’s searching for medicinal plants to help his sick sister. It’s his first time above ground, so he’s leery of every new thing he sees, like an owl and a deer. However, the most fearsome things he might meet are humans trained to hunt and kill giants. Readers then meet Jacq, the daughter of the greatest giant hunter who was recently killed by rebels. Giants are slain to harvest their bones, which are used to make buildings, tools, and other things the humans need. However, Jacq has no interest in becoming a giant hunter and thinks the two groups should live in harmony. Her outlook on hunters strongly contrasts with expectations for the daughter of the greatest hunter hero, creating a major conflict.

The innocence and purity of Jacq and Corman will make this book endearing for young readers. Corman’s motivation is to bring healing herbs to his ailing sister. When things get tough, that thought gives him extra energy and determination. Jacq finds herself hunting for giants from a helicopter only because of her father’s orders. Her hope is to be rescued and returned to her home. Corman and Jacq are forced to work together to survive the dangers they encounter. However, their shared experiences allow their characters to grow and understand the enemies they’ve always feared. Giants aren’t emotionless, stupid beasts who want to devour humans. Not all humans are hunters who want to harvest the bones of slain giants.

There are overall themes of understanding others and the evils of greed. Humans and giants have been told horrible stories about each other since they were children, and short statements on the first page of each chapter reinforce them. There are different kinds of giants, and Corman’s people were forced underground seeking safety when humans arrived. Another effect of humans invading these lands is that the different kinds of giants rarely interact with each other anymore. In contrast, many humans are fixated on killing giants for their bones, and it’s an honor for children to be chosen to become giant hunters. Readers will learn later in the story that lies and schemes are being plotted, and Jacq will discover an unknown truth about her mother’s death.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers shouldn’t think too much about the logistics of giants, since an underground city of them is hard to imagine. Hidden passageways are challenging to envision when they’re big enough to fit giants. Also, if human society is developed enough to have helicopters, electronics, and factories, why are they so determined to harvest giants’ bones? Why not build structures utilizing the same metal used to make helicopters?

The final verdict:

This emotional, action-filled adventure shares thoughtful commentary regarding human behavior. Overall, young readers will be touched by the empathy and compassion shown by the main characters, and I recommend you give this book a chance.