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mctmama's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sleeping Giants starts with a young boy, Dennis, running on a remote Oregon beach getting swept up by a rogue wave and carried out to sea. A man tries unsuccessfully to save him. Next we meet his half sister, Amanda, who has learned of her birth mother, and her brother, Dennis, and is trying to find out more about him, and herself.
Amanda thinks a bit differently than most people, leaves the corners on her sandwiches, and is a care taker for a polar bear in the Portland zoo. When she goes to the seaside town to learn more about her brother, she befriends a retired, widowed police officer named Larry, who helps her in her search about her brother, and what happened to him on that fateful day.
Time flashes back and forth in the story, and you learn about the home Dennis was sent to - Brightwood, a home for "troubled" boys . A new headmistress named Martha begins to treat the boy with "holding therapy" and many horrible secrets, and the truth are uncovered.
Author Denfeld has interesting characters, and weaves the story so well! You do learn more about the polar bear, too! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. Recommend!
Amanda thinks a bit differently than most people, leaves the corners on her sandwiches, and is a care taker for a polar bear in the Portland zoo. When she goes to the seaside town to learn more about her brother, she befriends a retired, widowed police officer named Larry, who helps her in her search about her brother, and what happened to him on that fateful day.
Time flashes back and forth in the story, and you learn about the home Dennis was sent to - Brightwood, a home for "troubled" boys . A new headmistress named Martha begins to treat the boy with "holding therapy" and many horrible secrets, and the truth are uncovered.
Author Denfeld has interesting characters, and weaves the story so well! You do learn more about the polar bear, too! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy. Recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual assault
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