Dickens & Rumi
Cover of IF WE WERE GIANTS

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IF WE WERE GIANTS

Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith

After exposing the whereabouts of her former home to the "Takers," Kirra must find the strength to make sure it doesn’t happen to her new one. (Ages 8 to 12)

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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Death of a character1/5
  • Violence1/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

No character death or grief-centered storyline is known.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The presence of giants and the threat to the protagonists' way of life create a sense of suspense and mild fear.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Fantasy encounters and protective actions may create mild tension, but there is no clear evidence of sustained, graphic, or realistic violence.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters appear to show meaningful courage through standing up to others and questioning accepted ideas, though danger and bravery are not the story’s sole focus.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Invites readers to imagine a unique world with distinct rules and scale-based dynamics.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The contrast between giants and islanders supports themes of belonging and inclusion, but it is not clear that the book offers broad, detailed representation of human identities.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Encourages critical thinking and social awareness regarding how society shapes perception.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and bridge-building are central to the protagonists' development and the plot resolution.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes themes of empathy, questioning authority, breaking down prejudices, and the power of friendship.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Kirra serves as a strong role model who demonstrates curiosity and moral integrity.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in IF WE WERE GIANTS would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in IF WE WERE GIANTS, and what caused that change?
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