A Monster Calls

• Genre: Young adult fiction; fantasy
• Originally Published: 2011
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 730L; young adult (Ages 12 and up)
• Structure/Length: Novel divided into 32 chapters; approx. 224 pages; approx. 3 hours and 59 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: A Monster Calls is a young adult fantasy novel by Patrick Ness. The central conflict revolves around Conor O’Malley, a young boy grappling with his mother’s terminal illness and the emotional turmoil it brings. Conor’s life takes an unexpected turn when a monstrous yew tree comes to life and visits him at night, sharing stories that challenge Conor’s perspective on life, truth, and acceptance. Through a combination of fantasy and realism, the novel explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of storytelling to confront painful truths.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of terminal illness, grief, and emotional distress

Patrick Ness, Author

• Bio: Born 1971; British-American author known for his contributions to young adult literature and his work in fantasy and science fiction; celebrated for exploring complex themes and emotions in the context of young adult experiences; taught Creative Writing at Oxford University; has written journalism, literary criticism, and reviews for Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Telegraph, the Times Literary Supplement, and The Guardian
• Other Works: The Knife of Never Letting Go (2008); The Ask and the Answer (2009); More Than This (2013); The Rest of Us Just Live Here (2015); Release (2018)
• Awards: Costa Children’s Book Award (2009); Carnegie Medal (2012)