A review by missgloop
Giants Beware! by Jorge Aguirre

4.0

I am always on the lookout for adventure stories with strong female protagonists, and this graphic novel really fits the bill in a lot of ways. Claudette longs to be a hero like her father, even though he lost his legs and arm in a battle with a dragon. When she learns that a giant is lurking right near her village, she elicits the help of her friend Marie and her brother Claude to lead the quest. What I really loved about this story is the way it played with gender roles and norms. Marie longs to be a princess, but that doesn't stop her from going on a daring quest and coming up with some really bright ideas. Claude wishes his father would teach him how to make a sword, but might just be a better pastry chef than a blacksmith. Claudette defends her little brother from bullies, but wouldn't mind being Marie's lady in waiting, as long as she is still allowed to carry a sword and fight bad guys. While villagers mock Claudette for trying to be a hero, you never get the sense that she is being mocked because she is a girl, only because she is a child. Not once is there that moment like in standard fantasy stories where a strong female character is forced to prove she doesn't "throw like a girl" or "act like a girl." Never does Claudette state she wishes that she were a boy. Claudette is simply allowed to be a girl who is interested in adventurous pursuits. What a novel concept.