BREATH OF THE GIANT

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL -- Gr 6 Up–Legend tells of a way to resurrect loved ones: all one needs to do is find a rare Life Gem, travel all the way to the mountains in the far north, and slay a giant. Sounds easy, right? Not at all; however, this will not stop Iris and Sophia from trying to get their mom back. These two sisters with magical abilities are determined to complete this quest of their heart’s desire or die trying. Along the way, they’ll face not only the environment, but others who would try to stop them, including a hunter who wants the power to bring back his only daughter. Nominated for several literary awards in France, Aureille’s debut title features a wonderful art style, reminiscent of the visual style of ND Stevenson’s Nimona. The storytelling is emotional, but not heavily so, and Aureille maintains a strong balance between the character moments and the plot. VERDICT A deep and compelling story that will pull the heartstrings of readers, this is an excellent tale about the power of perseverance while coping with the loss of a loved one.