A Monster Calls

There are few things I hate about this book. One of them is that the e-book does not have the gorgeous illustrations that go with the p-book (physical book).

The book is basically about when a monster calls upon the main character. (I love it when the summary is short and easy and completely truthful, yet tells you nothing about what actually happens. It's both helpful and not.) This is one of those books that goes a fantastic job of being completely fictional, yet examines the realities of life and does so through stories.

But that isn't a fair summary either.

I've tried to find books that are similar, in concept, to this book and have had a pain in the rear finding such emotionally complex, rich in stories and truth, and grounded in reality. It is definitely magical realism, but both more fantasy, and yet more reality, than that description.

I will say, that this is one of those books where the mother has cancer. And in true fashion, the main character (13 year old boy) is/isn't dealing with it, and those in his world don't quite know how to deal with him.

As I said, there were a few things I hated about this book. Very, very minor quibbles. Being an American, I know of no one that uses "sport" or "champ" to refer to another person. So, the dad's American lingo seemed much more 50's than modern. I'm not sure if that was intentional, but it was one of the few things that was rather jarring to me.

As I said, the p-book has fantastic illustrations that add to the story. However, the audiobook is extremely well done as well (and doesn't have the illustrations as well). I don't know if the illustrations will be added to the e-books in the future, but it would only add to the story.

There is some violence in the book, but it is needed for the story. The fact is that the emotional punch of the story hits you much harder.

Being illustrated, I can see this being a good recommendation for reluctant readers. Having a main character that is male and 13, it may also attract more male teens. As for the age, I'd say 8th grade up. And definitely give this to adults who think YA lit is light and fluffy.

Read alikes: Touching Spirit Bear is a maybe. I'm hoping to fill this out more in the coming days.
Movies: 50/50, maybe. It's lacking the fantastical elements, but also is dealing with the realities of cancer

The book trailer from Candlewick Press: http://youtu.be/iEX5g6c7ueE


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I wasn't sure if I was going to put this in. However, it does seem to colo(u)r how the story affected me. I picked this book up while my husband's father was going through cancer treatments. For the third? or fourth time, much like the main character's mother. And the outcome was the same. The final chapter - so amazing.

Touching Spirit Bear

This has been a book that's been circling around me for ages. I thought it was a book from my childhood, but I was well into adulthood when it came out in 2001. (*sobs* I'm OOOOoooold!) ;)

I almost wish this book had been available when I was growing up, for as much as I learned from it now,  I needed to lessens when I was younger. I've had issues with anger (not that I've hit someone, but I have lashed out with words more than I should) and I suffer from chronic depression. I'm not saying that this book is going to make either of those go away completely, but it has given me new look at how to deal with them, especially the anger.

Interestingly, the day after I read the book, The Monster by Eminem (featuring Rhianna) came up on a playlist. It's an interesting fit, complementing the book. Cole (the main character) has to deal with his own monster just like Eminem has to live with his own past. Not by forgetting and throwing away what he did, but by embracing it, being friends with it.

So, Eminem is a good choice, musically, to go along with this title. Other books, though, that may go well:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Deals with the consequences of a choice)
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Deals with coming to grips with the truth)
Hatchet by Gary Paulson (Deals with survival in the wilderness)

Others (haven't read so I can't be totally sure):
My Side of the Mountain
Incident at Hawk's Hill
Sign of the Beaver