A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Conor is living with three nightmares:  the one in his head, the one with the Yew tree, and the one with his mother in real life.


Candlewick Press and Net Galley shared this ebook with me for review (thank you).  It will be published this September.


Conor knows his mother is deathly ill.  He also knows a Yew tree can't walk.  And he knows he's becoming invisible at school because no one knows what to say to him or wants anything to do with him.  But he doesn't know why he has this awful nightmare that keeps him awake all night because he's fearful he'll dream it again if he goes back to sleep.


There is old magic in this story.  The Yew tree tells Conor stories and each story has an unusual message.  The ancient tree points out that there is more to the story than Conor sees at first; the obvious answer may not be the correct one.


This is the story of a boy coming to terms with his mother's terminal illness.  Using a Yew tree like an old man telling tales is a unique touch.  The pain in the story touches you and makes you wish there could be a happily ever after, but that's not how life works.


The author's story flows well and it's easy to empathize with Conor's emotional turmoil and pain.  Your young one may learn some things from the Yew tree's tales, too.


Why not pick up a copy at your local bookstore when it comes out in September?


Happy reading.