Lucy the Giant
on Goodreads (265)
What’s inside...
Fifteen-year-old Lucy, the largest girl in her school, leaves her small Alaska town and her alcoholic father and discovers hardship--and friendship--posing as an adult aboard a commercial fishing boat. Lucy Otswego is a big girl who towers over just about everyone and everything in her small Alaskan town, except for her father’s horrible reputation as a mean drunk. At 15, she runs away from the cruel classmates who see her only as 'the Giant,' the embarrassed adults who pity her, and the abusive father whose fleeting attentiveness is worse than his indifference. When the crew of a crabbing boat assumes she’s much older than she is and invites her to join them for the season, she thrills at the possibility of escaping her teenaged life. Buoyed by the camaraderie and support of her new shipmates, Lucy quickly masters the mind-numbing cold and backbreaking work. But when her masquerade is threatened, she learns that there are no shortcuts to growing up.
Age
13-14
Length
224 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Lucy
Lucy's Dad
Discussion points
How do you think Lucy feels about being different from other teenagers? Why?
What are some ways Lucy shows courage and kindness throughout her journey?
If you were in Lucy’s shoes, how would you handle the challenges she faced?
Why is it important for Lucy to find a place where she feels she belongs?
How do the reactions of other characters to Lucy's size affect her, and what does it teach us about acceptance?
Tip: Role play these questions
Pause at key moments in the story to allow your child to reflect on Lucy’s feelings and choices.
Relate Lucy's experiences back to your child’s life by discussing moments when they felt out of place or different, and how they handled those feelings.
Encourage your child to think about the qualities that make Lucy a likable and relatable character despite her differences.
Discuss the importance of empathy and kindness in understanding others’ challenges, as demonstrated in the book.
End your reading sessions by asking your child how they think the story might continue, or what they would write in the next chapter of Lucy’s life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: In 'Lucy the Giant,' Lucy grapples with feeling out of place due to her physical stature and eventually learns to embrace her uniqueness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding and appreciating what makes them different from others and recognizing these differences as strengths.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Lucy demonstrates resilience as she navigates challenging situations while being away from home and fending for herself.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persevering through difficult times and using their inner strength to overcome obstacles.
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, Lucy learns the hard way that honesty is crucial after her lies about her identity begin causing more trouble than she anticipated.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from Lucy's experiences the value of being truthful and the potential complications that lying can bring.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: As Lucy interacts with various characters who face their own struggles, she grows more empathetic and understanding towards others.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to consider the feelings and situations of others, fostering empathy and more meaningful social interactions.