A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore

Sophie is taken with the ideas of monsters.  She knows she's one because of the blood tumor on her face.  She wasn't born with it, it came later and she's sure it's from a witch's curse.

Edelweiss and Shadow Mountain allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on March 5th.

Sadie starts by looking for a good witch to remove the curse.  She meets a nearby neighbor lady she's sure is a good witch.  She uses herbs for healing and makes delicious cookies.  She memorizes the monster book and finds them in school and in the people around her.  She wants to be more human so her mother will continue to love her.  Unfortunately, her blood tumor isn't getting smaller and her mother wants her to have surgery to remove it.

When their car failed them on the drive home, a man on a motorcycle stopped to help.  He has a scar, too, but it doesn't bother her.  She just thinks he might be a modern version of a myth and might be trying to take her mother away.  When she actually talks to him, she finds that he can offer her some on her to deal with the tumor.  After all, he's had a lot of experience since he got injured in the war.  He lost a lot of his friends when he came back home.  She listens but she's not sure that will work for her.

As she finds who really loves her and who her friends are, she also learns about compassion.  She has a final choice where she can be selfish or help.  She makes the right decision.

This is a great read for children that are different.  Don't let that difference define you...