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The Giant-Slayer Audiobook
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(3.11) - 293 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Award-winning author Iain Lawrence creates an entertaining and magical adventure in The Giant-Slayer. It's 1955, and Laurie Valentine's best friend Dickie has contracted polio. Confined to a breathing machine in the hospital, he begs Laurie to stay by his side and tell him a story. As Laurie creates the tale of the giant Collosso and the young boy destined to stop him, Dickie starts to believe he's part of the story. But when Laurie is forced to stop telling the story, Dickie has to reach within himself to create his own ending.
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"As a child of a polio survivor, I was intrigued by the fly-leaf description of the book. One of my children actually picked it up and finished it before I could. All I can say is "Wow!" The loneliness, the creativity and the hope of each child in the book is an inspiration. Thank you, Iain Lawrence! I borrowed the book from my local library, but have just now ordered my own personal copy."
— Christine (5 out of 5 stars)
The Giant-Slayer Listener Reviews
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" I really liked this book. It has sparked my interest in learning more about polio and how it effected so many lives. A very unique story that will stay with me for quite some time. "
— Kristy, 2/16/2014 -
" Very good book, thought provoking. Didn't really know much about the polio epidemic. Would like to know more. The author gives resources if one would like to pursue the subject. "
— Lisa, 2/9/2014 -
" A great story! I loved how everything was so woven together. The author created--and kept creating--great, believable characters. I agree that the end was a little abrupt, but it worked so well with the rest of the story and the fact that children were telling it. "
— Andrea, 1/18/2014 -
" A unique blend of historical fiction (a polio ward in the 1950s) and fantasy (the story that an 11 year old tells to entertain the young patients who are confined to iron-lungs). "
— Ellen, 1/1/2014 -
" This book is what happens when a clever concept meets a good author. The Giant Slayer is two stories woven together: Laurie Valentine visiting her friends in the polio ward in 1955 entertains them with a fantasy tale (think Lord of the Rings for kids). The relationship that develops among the children as the story progresses is magical in itself. "
— Sandi, 12/21/2013 -
" I liked the historical sections more so than the fantasy told in the story, which just shows my preference for historical fiction over fantasy. The story within the story was well executed, though. "
— Josie, 12/17/2013 -
" This real-life story was mixed with an excellent fantasy as well. I've never given much thought to polio since it wasn't a concern really in my lifetime. I really enjoyed this book! "
— Wendy, 12/15/2013 -
" Very good read about the atrocities of Polio and the strength of friendship. A must read for ages 9 and up "
— Barbra, 11/24/2013 -
" This is only the best book EVER!!!! I was in tears half way through, but couldn't stop reading. Awesome!!! "
— H, 11/21/2013 -
" This is a book with a story within a story. A young girl regularly visits a polio ward and tells an ongoing story. It felt like two completely separate books. I found it difficult to connect them. "
— Michele, 10/30/2013 -
" A Silver Birch 2011 nominated title (i.e., for kids). Interesting premise: able-bodied girl tells fantasy tale to three iron-lung-bound polio patients. "
— Pam, 8/23/2013 -
" Rather a downer but still really good. So interesting . . . 4 stars. "
— M.R., 7/20/2013 -
" This is a great book. It's about polio, but there's a great fantasy story woven in. I learned a lot, enjoyed the story, felt strongly about the characters...it was great. The only thing that was unbelievable was how well this young girl could tell a story :) "
— Kendra, 1/28/2013 -
" I voted for this for the MYRCA award! "
— Jasmine23, 3/5/2012 -
" I really, really enjoyed this book. It was somehow heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time and I loved the intertwining of the fantasy and the reality. "
— Abby, 7/20/2011 -
" A very interesting story. Uniquely written! "
— Anthony, 7/2/2011 -
" A story about an unlikely hero. Definetly an "hero-journey" type book. We listened to it, which was fun to hear the voices. "
— Rebecca, 4/26/2011 -
" A phenomenal read! I truly enjoyed this book. I was putting off reading it (chose to read the other two CA Young Reader Medal Nominees first). However, this book blew me away. Highly recommend for the young reader and especially adults. "
— Julie, 4/23/2011 -
" A unique blend of historical fiction (a polio ward in the 1950s) and fantasy (the story that an 11 year old tells to entertain the young patients who are confined to iron-lungs). "
— Ellen, 3/27/2011 -
" This is a book with a story within a story. A young girl regularly visits a polio ward and tells an ongoing story. It felt like two completely separate books. I found it difficult to connect them. "
— Michele, 3/20/2011 -
" I liked it. It's a story within a story--interest format. It feels very familiar to me--I think I've seen this same kind of frame before (sick children escaping through a shared story or dream). A real departure from the author's usual fare. "
— Angela, 1/12/2011 -
" This real-life story was mixed with an excellent fantasy as well. I've never given much thought to polio since it wasn't a concern really in my lifetime. I really enjoyed this book! "
— Wendy, 8/10/2010 -
" This is a great book. It's about polio, but there's a great fantasy story woven in. I learned a lot, enjoyed the story, felt strongly about the characters...it was great. The only thing that was unbelievable was how well this young girl could tell a story :) "
— Kendra, 7/15/2010 -
" Very good read about the atrocities of Polio and the strength of friendship. A must read for ages 9 and up "
— Barbra, 6/8/2010
About Iain Lawrence
Iain Lawrence is a bestselling children’s author. Before becoming a fiction writer, he studied journalism at Vancouver Community College and spent ten years working for small newspapers in northern British Columbia. He is the author of The Wreckers, The Giant Slayer, The Smugglers, The Winter Pony, and others. Lawrence won the prize for Children’s Literature from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2007. He lives in the Gulf Islands with his partner, Kristen.
About Suzanne Toren
Suzanne Toren, award-winning narrator, has over thirty years of experience in narration. She was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She has won the American Foundation for the Blind’s Scourby Award for Narrator of the Year, AudioFile magazine named her the 2009 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture, and she is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards. She performs on and off Broadway and in regional theaters and has appeared on Law & Order and in various soap operas.