I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura

Barbara Thorson is not a typical Grade 5 student. She is tougher than Emily Strange and cares nothing about schoolwork, boys, dating, clothes - or anything that distracts her from her task, which is to be prepared to kill giants. She is fearless when faced with school bullies; her enemy is much greater than that. Over time, Barbara learns that she doesn't have to be alone in her struggles and that it is okay to accept help with life's demons. Ken Niimura's black and white inkwash art is a good pair with Joe Kelly's text. The atmosphere is of looming menace. At times, it isn't easy to discern what is happening - which is a reflection of the troubled workings in Barbara's mind. Grade 7 to adult.