A Monster Calls

Reviewed by: Mary Lehmer - Freeport Community Library, Freeport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 8, 2016

Review

A Monster Calls was written in 2011 and published by a British Publisher, Walker Books. This US edition is being put out by Candlewick Press and has a different cover. The original was illustrated by award winning illustrator Jim Kay and the lack of his art work is a shame. The story is still powerful though and should not be missed. It is about a young boy dealing with a mom that is dying of cancer. A monster visits him and tells him things, which are terrifying but true. Ness wrote this book using an idea form another author, Siobhan Dowd that died from cancer before she could write the story herself. This is a heart wrenching book that is not to be missed, but the original version is a better choice than this new one.

Overall Book Score: good