How to Make Friends with a Giant

"Tomorrow you'll be the first pick, Jacomo," Ed says.  "You and Jake."

How to Make Friends with a Giant is a great book to explain the meaning of friendship and treating people respectfully. This story may not be the most compelling, but it involves a great lesson that all students should learn. Author Gennifer Choldenko juxtaposes the characters Jake, who is tiny along with everything he owns, and Jacomo, who is literally a giant. However, Jake is the only student who has the heart to confront Jacomo and be his friend. Jacomo may be a giant, but he is a regular first grader just like Jake and his classmates.

Throughout the story we see Jake's compassionate heart as he befriends Jacomo in circumstances where all of his other classmates make fun of him. The climax of the story occurs during recess while the students are playing soccer. Jacomo is so strong that he kicks the ball over the fence and all of the students become outraged. They tell Jacomo that he will be the last pick just like Jake. Once again, when Jacomo is on the verge of tears, Jake is right there by his side. He teaches Jacomo how to kick the ball softly, something that Jake is very good at. Because Jake taught Jacomo so well, they both are slated to be the first pick the next day.

This story teaches a great moral of respecting others no matter how different they are. And Jake and Jacomo could be no more different. The illustrations by Amy Walrod have Jake pictured to be only as tall as Jacomo's knees. Yet, they are both able to overlook their differences and be best friends.