Barbara Thorson; Sophia (new friend); Taylor (bully); Mrs. Molle (school psychologist)
Synopsis
Sophia first meets Barbara as Barbara is performing rituals to help her against giants, and against the horror that lurks upstairs in her house. She treats fellow students and the school psychologist aggressively, and is just barely civil with Sophia.
Barbara Thorson; Karen Thorson; Sophia; Taylor; Dave Thorson (Barbara's brother)
Synopsis
Sophia leads Taylor and her gang to the site where Barbara has set up wards. They destroy Barbara's work, and beat Barbara badly. Sophia helps Barbara home, but both flee before the monstrosity upstairs in Barbara's house. An angry and fearful Karen tries to talk to Barbara, but Barbara blocks out her voice.
Barbara Thorson; Karen Thorson; Mrs. Molle; Sophia; Taylor; Titan
Synopsis
Barbara skips six days of school, and destroys her "den" at home. Sophia and Mrs. Molle each search for her, and Mrs. Molle confronts Barbara with the truth, that Barbara's mother is dying, and that this is a giant that cannot be killed. Barbara flees to the beach, where Sophia finds her, but the manic Taylor attacks them with a hatchet. The attack is broken off only by a sudden storm, out of which rises a Titan.
Defending the other girls with the magic hammer she has always claimed to have, Barbara fights the Titan. She swears that he will take neither her mother nor the girls. The Titan reveals that he came not for the mother, but for Barbara. Barbara is drawn into the storm-churned ocean, as Sophia searches in vain.
Barbara Thorson; Karen Thorson; Dave Thorson; Mrs. Thorson (Barbara's mother); Sophia; Mrs. Molle; police officers
Synopsis
Barbara is feared lost in the freak storm, but eventually appears at her own front door. After reconciling with her siblings, Sophia, and Mrs. Molle, she climbs the stairs to visit her mother in her sickroom. Upon the mother's death months a few later, the same supporters stand at Barbara's side. She finally feels at home in her own home, and bids the Titan farewell, observing, "We're stronger than we think."