A Monster Calls

Ness, Patrick. A Monster Calls. Candlewick Press, 2011. 204 pages $16.99 ISBN: 9780763655594 (trade)

Plot Summary:

Compared to the nightmare, the monster does not scare Conor.  The first time the great, old yew tree behind Conor’s house visits him Conor is convinced it was a dream, even after spending the morning sweeping up yew needles from his bedroom floor.  Even though he is only 13, Conor pretty much takes care of himself.  His dad lives in America with his new family and Conor’s mum is too sick from her chemo treatments.  At school Conor has no friends and is bullied by popular Harry.  The monster continues to visit Conor at night to help him come to terms with his anger over him mother’s illness and the possibility that she might be dying. 

Critical Review:

This is an incredibly powerful book, superbly written and perfectly illustrated, though it may not be the first book teens pick up.  A Monster Calls is a bibliotherapy book and will probably be appreciated more by teen that are in similar situations to Conor.  I couldn’t help but cry at several points throughout this book; it reminded me so much of my own experience as a young adult and coming to terms with having a sick parent.  Ness beautifully and adroitly explores the grief process and the countless emotions involved.  Conor is sad, angry, resentful and guilty all at once.  He is sad and angry his mother is dying and he is resentful that he has to take care of himself and has to stay with his grandmother.  At one point Conor wishes his mother was already dead, not because he wants her to die, but because the pain, sadness and anger are unbearable.   The monster shows Conor that it is okay to have these feelings and he should not feel guilty about being emotional over the possibility of losing his mother. 

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest Level:

Grades 6 and up

Similar Books:

Clay David Almond

Bruiser Neil Shusterman

Subjects/Themes:

Grief

Bullies

Awards/Honors:

ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012

Booklist Editor’s Choice Books for Youth 2011

Cybil Award 2011 Finalist

Indies Choice Book Award 2012 Finalist

Kirkus Best Books for Young Adults 2011

School Library Journal Best Books 2011

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012

Author’s Website:

http://www.patrickness.com/

Annotation:

Conor is visited each night by a monster that helps him accept the truth about his mother’s illness.

Book Talking Ideas:

A Monster Calls is a fast-paced and emotional story about a young boy, Conor who is plagued by night terrors and visited each night by a monster.  The monster is not nearly as scary as the night terrors and is really more of a nuisance to Conor, but the monster refuses to leave until Conor can accept the truth and his feeling about his mother’s illness. 

Why I chose to include this book:

I chose this book because it resonated so much with my own experience as a teen having a sick parent and I hope it will help other teens in similar situations cope with the multitude of feelings that come along with losing a loved one.