A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

The original idea for A Monster Calls came from the late Siobhan Dowd, a brilliant writer of teen fiction who sadly passed away in 2007 before she had time to write this book. Award-winning author Patrick Ness was asked to take Siobhan's spark of an idea and run with it. He has certainly done that.

"The monster showed up after midnight. As they do"

Conor is visited nightly by the monster. It comes from the graveyard behind the house he shares with his mum, but this is a different kind of monster from the one in the nightmares he's been having since his mum became ill.

The monster from the graveyard tells Conor stories from long ago, and these tales lead Conor to confront his nightmare head-on, with life-changing consequences.

A Monster Calls is a beautifully written (and illustrated) novel of two parts. The tales told by the monster have the traditional feel of folk stories - with a twist, while Conor's story is a heartwrenching journey through his mother's illness and his own attempts to deal with the difficulties that brings. The interaction between Conor and the monster is funny and touching and brings the story together seamlessly. The two parts blended together create an intensely moving and gripping book, the only criticism of which is that it's impossible to put down.

Age range: 12+ £12.99 Hardback