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If We Were Giants by Clete Barrett Smith, Quentin Regnes, Dave Matthews, Antonio Javier Caparo
booknerd82's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually a middle grade fantasy reader but I AM a Dave Matthews lover. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed this book immensely. The character development and general theme of people working together for the greater good warmed my heart. I enjoyed all three parts of the story but the storyline of the families that lived in the trees was my favorite. I feel like the ending lends itself to a sequel, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for that!
books_tea_healthy_me's review against another edition
4.0
If We Were Giants is a wonderful story for readers young as old! With a relatable main character and a fun plot, this is one you will want to share with the whole family.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
melodyriggs's review against another edition
4.0
Cute story about the importance of doing life in community. Plus, I couldn't pass up the chance to read something by Dave Matthews. The story idea was his and Smith helped to bring it to literary life.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc and a copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: If We Were Giants
Author: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (death, scary moments, kidnapping, environmental activism)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Kirra, a curious, agile, and outgoing girl, lives in an idyllic community hidden inside a dormant volcano. She and her father are the only two people allowed to venture beyond its walls. Kirra is in training to become a Storyteller like him, and together they travel from village to village spreading fearsome tales designed to keep outsiders away from their secret nest. One day, after hearing rumors of strangers called the "Takers," Kirra leaves the volcano by herself, hoping to discover her own story. But she unknowingly leads the Takers back to her doorstep, and they rob her of everything she has ever held dear. A devastated Kirra is found by a boy named Luwan and adopted into his family, which lives among others high in the trees of a dense forest. Now quiet and withdrawn, Kirra hides her dark past from everyone and never wants to leave the safety of her tree dwelling. Luwan, on the other hand, loves to explore. One day it leads to trouble: He is captured while spying on a group of strangers. The Takers have returned. To save the Tree Folk, Kirra must face her inner demons and summon all her storytelling to weave the most important tale of her life. This compelling novel about overcoming loss, embracing community, and living in harmony with nature is highlighted with a full-color insert of concept artwork, making it perfect for family sharing.
Review: I thought this was a beautiful story about social activism. The book did well to convey the message of the importance of our environment and can be read by children and adults alike. The book was also well written and had amazing character development.
However, I did find that the world building could have been a bit better. Also, the pacing wanes a bit and the time skipping is a bit weird in places.
Verdict: A well done novel that’ll make you appreciate nature.
Book: If We Were Giants
Author: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: March 3, 2020
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 12+ (death, scary moments, kidnapping, environmental activism)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 304
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Kirra, a curious, agile, and outgoing girl, lives in an idyllic community hidden inside a dormant volcano. She and her father are the only two people allowed to venture beyond its walls. Kirra is in training to become a Storyteller like him, and together they travel from village to village spreading fearsome tales designed to keep outsiders away from their secret nest. One day, after hearing rumors of strangers called the "Takers," Kirra leaves the volcano by herself, hoping to discover her own story. But she unknowingly leads the Takers back to her doorstep, and they rob her of everything she has ever held dear. A devastated Kirra is found by a boy named Luwan and adopted into his family, which lives among others high in the trees of a dense forest. Now quiet and withdrawn, Kirra hides her dark past from everyone and never wants to leave the safety of her tree dwelling. Luwan, on the other hand, loves to explore. One day it leads to trouble: He is captured while spying on a group of strangers. The Takers have returned. To save the Tree Folk, Kirra must face her inner demons and summon all her storytelling to weave the most important tale of her life. This compelling novel about overcoming loss, embracing community, and living in harmony with nature is highlighted with a full-color insert of concept artwork, making it perfect for family sharing.
Review: I thought this was a beautiful story about social activism. The book did well to convey the message of the importance of our environment and can be read by children and adults alike. The book was also well written and had amazing character development.
However, I did find that the world building could have been a bit better. Also, the pacing wanes a bit and the time skipping is a bit weird in places.
Verdict: A well done novel that’ll make you appreciate nature.
mackenzievirginia's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
themusingsofmsb's review against another edition
3.0
(Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for a digital ARC of this book!)
This was an interesting tale about a young girl, Kirra, whose family belongs to a tight-knit community hidden away in a dormant volcano, where every member has a specific job, and they all depend upon each other for survival. Only Kirra and her father are allowed to go beyond the community into the outside world, as there are tales about a group of “Takers” who take and destroy existing communities. Curious to find out more and defying the order to never leave on her own, Kirra ventures out on her own - and unknowingly leads the Takers back to her home. They destroy her village and everything she’s ever known. She is luckily rescued by Luwan, a young adventurous boy from another community; however, Kirra’s sadness and guilt leave her withdrawn and quiet. One day when Luwan’s adventures lead him to trouble from the very group who destroyed Kirra’s first community, Kirra is faced with overcoming her inner demons in order to save the people who saved her many years before.
While I thought the book was engaging and had some really important themes, something about the writing style of the first half seemed a bit choppy and it was hard to fully immerse myself in. Part of me wishes this book had been turned into a series, with one or two shorter books in it. I also found myself turned off by the way in which the Takers spoke - the broken English seemed a bit like it was making fun of Indigenous People…? (I'd really like to hear from other readers once the book is out about this point...)
In the end, this was not one of my favorite books ever, but I do think there are a lot of topics in the book that could lead to great discussions with children (such as overcoming loss, embracing different communities, and living peacefully in nature).
This was an interesting tale about a young girl, Kirra, whose family belongs to a tight-knit community hidden away in a dormant volcano, where every member has a specific job, and they all depend upon each other for survival. Only Kirra and her father are allowed to go beyond the community into the outside world, as there are tales about a group of “Takers” who take and destroy existing communities. Curious to find out more and defying the order to never leave on her own, Kirra ventures out on her own - and unknowingly leads the Takers back to her home. They destroy her village and everything she’s ever known. She is luckily rescued by Luwan, a young adventurous boy from another community; however, Kirra’s sadness and guilt leave her withdrawn and quiet. One day when Luwan’s adventures lead him to trouble from the very group who destroyed Kirra’s first community, Kirra is faced with overcoming her inner demons in order to save the people who saved her many years before.
While I thought the book was engaging and had some really important themes, something about the writing style of the first half seemed a bit choppy and it was hard to fully immerse myself in. Part of me wishes this book had been turned into a series, with one or two shorter books in it. I also found myself turned off by the way in which the Takers spoke - the broken English seemed a bit like it was making fun of Indigenous People…? (I'd really like to hear from other readers once the book is out about this point...)
In the end, this was not one of my favorite books ever, but I do think there are a lot of topics in the book that could lead to great discussions with children (such as overcoming loss, embracing different communities, and living peacefully in nature).
mudder17's review
5.0
This was a wonderful surprise story about a girl told in three parts. The first part covers her life with her first family and the lessons she learned from her storytelling father and her secretive group of peaceful folk who live as a close-knit community in a volcano and show respect for nature and her resources. After her village is decimated by the "Takers" she is taken in by a family who lives in the trees and whose village as a whole are just as respectful and caring of natural resources as her first people. However, in contrast, although they are kind they tend to live very independently of their neighbors. When the "Takers" come, Kirra has to revisit memories of her trauma and remember her storytelling talent to help her second people come together as a community to fight for their lives and their land. I absolutely loved this story and ended up reading it from beginning to end in one sitting. As I recall, Dave Matthews is not only a musician, but he is very much a humanitarian and an activist for protecting our planet. Together, this trio has written a wonderful tale of hope that should appeal to many middle school children, as well as older readers. I definitely recommend this story and would definitely read a sequel if they wrote one.
Thanks to #DaveMatthews, #CleteBarrettSmith, #NetGalley and #DisneyHyperion for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to #DaveMatthews, #CleteBarrettSmith, #NetGalley and #DisneyHyperion for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
books_tea_healthy_me's review against another edition
4.0
If We Were Giants is a wonderful story for readers young as old! With a relatable main character and a fun plot, this is one you will want to share with the whole family.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
beckytaylor's review against another edition
2.0
I was pretty excited about the concept of this one, and thought it would have some cool commentary on taking care of the environment, which I suppose it did, but not in the way I was hoping. I was kind of disappointed overall. I though the pacing was strange, and, having just gone through my own writing project to really get the structure right, I felt some of the pivotal moments just didn’t hit the mark. But I really liked the concept of a society living inside a volcano and the theme of storytelling throughout.
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