A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness 204 pages

What can be more monstrous to a young boy than witnessing his mother's slow death by cancer. Conor's father left years ago, moving to America and acquiring a new family. Conor's mother has been sick before, but is ever optimistic that the next treatment will do the trick. Her mother comes to help out. But she is a forceful business woman who seems to have no space in her cold, immaculate house or her heart for Conor. School is no escape for Conor. His best friend, Lily let out the secret about his mother's health and the students shy away from him, all that is but the bullies. They pick on him relentlessly. Ness got the germ of an idea from notes written by Siobhan Dowd who died herself before she could complete the story. Jim Kay's illustrations are appropriately dark and foreboding. A monster comes calling on Conor just after midnight. He warns Conor that he will share three tales and then it will be Conor's turn to supply a story. Each of the monster's stories take an unexpected turn. Conor swears that he is not a storyteller and will not tell a story. I can see where this story could frighten small children, but it is achingly beautiful.