Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
A brilliant, graphic novel written by young but promising Patrick Ness. This is the story about 13 year old Conor and his mother who is dying of cancer. Conor has to face the cruelty of real life and learn to let his close and dearest go. When no human can help him Monster appears...
Is A Monster Calls appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A deeply moving story about a boy coping with his mother's terminal cancer diagnosis through visits from a monster. Deals with heavy themes of death, grief, and letting go, but handles them with sensitivity and insight appropriate for mature middle grade and YA readers.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death of parent, grief, and terminal illness (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will connect with Conor's struggle to process impossible emotions and his powerful relationship with a supernatural mentor who forces him to face hard truths.