Giant Days

Pratt (Trouble) adeptly tackles a narrative adaptation of John Allison’s hit graphic novel series by the same name. The story follows the unlikely friendship of three girls in their first year at Sheffield University: slightly misanthropic Susan, a former amateur private investigator; sweet and unassuming Daisy, whose years of homeschooling render her more naive than her peers; and Esther, a music-loving goth. Fans of the comic will delight in further character development as the young women’s friendships deepen. But even those unfamiliar with Allison’s work will enjoy the story’s humor and exploration of universal themes, including what it means to find and define oneself during the first year away from home. Pratt’s strong storytelling reveals bigger issues behind mundane college experiences (missing classes, drinking too much). And shifting perspectives allow the reader to glimpse that despite each girl’s armor—Susan’s cynicism and sarcasm, Esther’s goth attire, and Daisy’s bright attitude—they are equally in need of each other. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Jane Finigan, Lutyens & Rubinstein. (Aug.) [/em]