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The Giant-Slayer by Iain Lawrence

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The Giant-Slayer

By Iain Lawrence

By Iain Lawrence

By Iain Lawrence

By Iain Lawrence

Best Seller
Paperback $7.99

Jan 10, 2012 | 304 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12) *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

Ebook $4.99

Nov 10, 2009 | 224 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    The Giant-Slayer by Iain Lawrence
    Paperback
    Jan 10, 2012 | 304 Pages
    *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program
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    • Paperback $7.99

      Jan 10, 2012 | 304 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12)

      *This format is not eligible to earn points towards the Reader Rewards program

    Ebook
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    • Ebook $4.99

      Nov 10, 2009 | 224 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12)

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    About The Giant-Slayer

    A girl’s imagination transports polio-afflicted kids into a fantastic world.

    The spring of 1955 tests Laurie Valentine’s 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. Laurie’s 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. Laurie’s tale is so powerful that when she’s prevented from continuing it, Dickie, Carolyn, and Chip take turns as narrators. Each helps bring the story of Collosso and Jimmy to an end—changing the lives of those in the polio ward in startling ways.

    About The Giant-Slayer

    A girl’s imagination transports polio-afflicted kids into a fantastic world.

    The spring of 1955 tests Laurie Valentine’s 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. Laurie’s 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. Laurie’s tale is so powerful that when she’s prevented from continuing it, Dickie, Carolyn, and Chip take turns as narrators. Each helps bring the story of Collosso and Jimmy to an end—changing the lives of those in the polio ward in startling ways.

    Also by Iain Lawrence

    The Skeleton Tree
    The Winter Pony
    The Cannibals
    The Convicts
    The Castaways
    See all books by Iain Lawrence

    Also by Iain Lawrence

    The Skeleton Tree
    The Winter Pony
    The Cannibals
    The Convicts
    The Castaways
    See all books by Iain Lawrence

    About Iain Lawrence

    Iain Lawrence is a journalist, travel writer, and avid sailor, and the author of many acclaimed novels, including Ghost Boy, The Skeleton Tree, Lord of the Nutcracker Men, and the High Seas Trilogy: The Wreckers, The Smugglers, andThe Buccaneers. He grew up moving all… More about Iain Lawrence

    About Iain Lawrence

    Iain Lawrence is a journalist, travel writer, and avid sailor, and the author of many acclaimed novels, including Ghost Boy, The Skeleton Tree, Lord of the Nutcracker Men, and the High Seas Trilogy: The Wreckers, The Smugglers, andThe Buccaneers. He grew up moving all… More about Iain Lawrence

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Fantasy & Magical Books | Children’s Middle Grade Historical Books | Children’s Picture Books

    Paperback | $7.99
    Published by Yearling
    Jan 10, 2012 | 304 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780440239710

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Fantasy & Magical Books | Children’s Middle Grade Historical Books | Children’s Picture Books

    Ebook | $4.99
    Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
    Nov 10, 2009 | 224 Pages | Middle Grade (8-12) | ISBN 9780375893742

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    Praise

    Review, The Wall Street Journal, December 5, 2009:
    “Young Readers…will not quickly forget this moving, imaginative glimpse of the not-so-long ago past.”

    Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, November 16, 2009:
    “Distinctive, emotionally honest characters and consistently engrossing prose make this book a standout.”

    Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, October 16, 2009:
    “This profound, magical, dryly comical novel reminds readers of the power of story, but they will already be feeling it in their bones. Masterful.”

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