by Patrick Ness
First published 2011
When a monster visits Conor's bedroom at night, the 13-year-old boy is terrified. But this is no ordinary monster. It has come to tell Conor three stories, and in return, Conor must tell his own. As the tales unfold, Conor is forced to confront the truth about his mother's terminal illness and his own feelings of grief, anger, and fear. With the monster as his guide, Conor embarks on a powerful journey of self-discovery, challenging his assumptions and finding the strength to face his darkest emotions.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, grief, coming-of-age, fantasy, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
31 pages · Paperback
Content warnings: terminal-illness