A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness (2011), KS3
Plot: Follows The book is about a 13-year-old boy, called Conor O’Malley, who is struggling to find courage and fearful of loss.
Positives: Beautiful and gripping story and also very relatable. The events in the text allow readers to reflect on their own lives. It is wonderfully imaginative and a truly insightful story that expresses the tender subject of grief in gentle way.
Negatives: It can be very deep and emotional at times.
If you like this, you might like: Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Kick the Moon by Muhammad Khan, The Big Lie by Julie Mayhew, Slated by Teri Terry
Key Stage: 3 (11+) Genre: Novel, Fantasy, Children’s literature
Rating: ★★★★★ Reviewer: Ms Nguete