The Giant-Slayer

I chose this book to read because it is a California Young Reader Medal Nominee for Intermediate level, 2012-2013. I enjoyed the other two nominees ("Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" and "Eleven" so I had a feeling I would like this one, too. About half-way into the book I decided I had to check o......more

Unglaublich tolles und feinfühliges Buch, das ein sehr trauriges aber auch wichtiges Thema behandelt.......more

I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up to read it. From the cover and title, one would expect a fantasy involving a giant, a unicorn, a gnome, and a dragon. However, the book opens telling you that it's 1955 and polio is rampant. What does polio have to do with all these mythical......more

This was another enjoyable read. The premise, a girl visiting a polio ward back in the 50's and telling a tale to the kids living in the ward and providing hope is nice and heartwarming. (Although nice & heartwarming can also be a little boring.) I thought the story was interesting and really loved......more

Lawrence has composed a beautifully written book that aptly creates two different worlds. The first, the 'real' world is a heart-wrenching account of children who are suffering from Polio, but are able to be brightened because one girl decides to be brave enough to show up every Saturday and narrate......more