Until publication of her critically acclaimed first novel, Elizabeth McCracken plied her MLS talents at the public library in Somerville, Massachusetts. When asked if she is glad to have left the field, McCracken waxes sentimental-poetic: "There's something so wonderful about being paid to be nice and generous to people all day long. I'm somewhat starry eyed about librarians."

The Giant's House, McCracken's first novel, is an unusual romance between Peggy Cort,a librarian on the cusp of spinsterhood, and James Carlson, an eleven year old patron who happens to be the tallest boy in the world.

The year is 1950. Twenty-six year old Peggy feels that life has stood her up until the day that James enters the library and changes her life forever. James is only eleven and suffers from an endocrinological disorder that causes him to grow taller than eight feet. Peggy remains convinced that he is the only person who has ever understood her completely. McCracken presents a study in parallel ascension, as James grows physically, Peggy grows emotionally. As McCracken puts it, "In getting to know him, Peggy Cort's ability to get along in the world changes."

The Giant's House was first published by The Dial Press in July 1996. It has been available in paperback since July 1997 from Avon Books. McCracken is also the author of the 1994 ALA Notable Collection Here's Your Hat, What's Your Hurry? She lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.