Newton and the Giant by Michael McGowan Date of Publication: 2003 ISBN: 0006392571 Number of Pages: 203

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate : Average
GENRES: Fantasy/Adventure/Humour
THEMES : Good versus Evil – Family - Appearance versus Reality

SUMMARY:
Newton is tired of being the butt of his family's jokes, tormented by his athletic (and evil) older quadruplet brothers, and unappreciated by everyone he meets. When he accidentally scores on his own team's net, he knows his siblings will stop at nothing to get revenge. He escapes to his attic refuge, hoping his brilliant scientific brain can outsmart them...and finds himself suddenly face to face with a large, smelly, and sock-obsessed giant named Herbert.

Before long Newton and Herbert join forces in an odd alliance that involves a magical world, a quest for survival, a few mysterious events, some boogers, and yes, even a flying machine. Can they accomplish all they've set out to do before the bad guys win? Even more importantly, will Newton be able to make it back to his own world -- and teach his brothers not to mess with him -- before time runs out?

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- loves an underdog
- is a smart kid who feels unappreciated
- loves science
- is into inventing
- likes fantasy worlds and magical creatures
- loves humour and sarcasm
- has been bullied

WHAT ELSE?
This is the first novel by Michael McGowan, and was chosen by students as the winner of the Silver Birch Award from the Ontario School Library Association in 2004. Its sequel is due out in the future, and will also feature Newton and his companions from the novel.