A Monster Calls

Wow! Never mind one of the best children’s books I have ever read, but one of the best books full stop. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this. ‘Fearless’ is the best word I could use to describe the book and the author, Patrick Ness. The themes are as dark as the cover; best friends that you can't really trust, violence acceptable as a coping strategy, a 'monster' who is as vicious as he is charismatic -apart from the illustrations, nothing else in this story is black-and-white. Whilst I accept that it may not be the best written book ever, for sheer gut-ripping emotional intensity, the last 30 pages of ‘A Monster Calls’ is unlikely to be matched by any book that I read soon. Highly recommended - in fact, stop what you are doing right now and read it! Health Warning: you will cry. A lot.

Andy Leyden
Christ Church New Malden Primary