Beyond his unusual height, fifth grader Ivan feels completely average and listless, claiming “I went through the day doing what I had to do…I had no interests.” When his teacher prompts him to choose a hobby, Ivan panics and blurts out “Stamps!” This spur-of-the-moment choice leads him to discover Mr. Carruthers, a stamp collector who introduces Ivan to the complex detective work of researching a vast postal history with only tiny stamps for clues. Ivan soon discovers a priceless antique stamp amongst his great-grandfather’s possessions, but it vanishes during his show-and-tell presentation. After a clever forgery appears in its place, Ivan must apply his newly found sleuthing skills to find the culprit and recover his missing stamp.

Author Philip A. Creurer excels at describing stamp collecting (or “philately”) in a fun and accessible style. He explores how elements used to identify stamps—like paper type, ink composition, art style, borders, and even sticking method—are tied to distinct places or time periods. For Ivan, stamps become a window into a world he had never thought to explore. Mr. Carruthers serves as a classic mentor, providing Ivan with both his first non-condescending adult conversations and the safe haven of his dusty stamp shop. Ivan’s two best friends flesh out the cast of distinct characters: Tom is a charming, chaotic science fanatic, while Leese is an organized, clever girl who is obsessed with human nature. Leese’s ponderings on the stamp thief’s motive and Mr. Carruthers’ description of nefarious dealings in the stamp collecting world add an air of intrigue to an otherwise straightforward case.

Creurer also sacrifices the red herrings and plot twists typically found in mysteries in favor of psychological musings and philosophical exploration. Although this gives Ivan an insightful narrative voice, the dense prose and flowery language may bog down middle school readers who expected a fast-paced detective story. Older readers are more likely to appreciate the sophisticated and reflective writing style.

IVAN THE GIANT uses a concrete mystery to spur abstract philosophical musings, resulting in a unique coming-of-age detective story. Though the plot and writing style are sometimes at odds, readers are sure to enjoy the fascinating characters and well-crafted exploration of stamp collecting.

~Cameron Gillespie for IndieReader