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Safe for the age band
Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.
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- ISBN
- 1382009402
- Ages
- 12–18
AI summary
Conor, a young boy struggling with his mother's terminal illness, is visited by a giant, ancient yew tree monster that tells him stories to help him face his deepest fears. The monster demands that Conor tell his own 'truth' regarding his mother's impending death, leading to a cathartic and emotional conclusion.
Parent notes
It is a clean but emotionally heavy story that provides a profound look at grief, though the dark imagery of the monster may be intense for sensitive younger children. Parent concerns: Death and grief (terminal illness of a parent); Intense emotional distress; Supernatural/Occult elements (sentient monster/nature spirit); Bullying and school-related violence; Destruction of property (expression of anger) Romance/sexual content: There is no sexual content or romantic spice in this book. Language: Occasional mild swearing may occur, but it is not a focal point of the text. Violence: Conor experiences physical bullying at school. In moments of rage and grief, Conor destroys furniture and property, and the stories told by the monster contain elements of dark folklore and justice. Substances: The mother is undergoing medical treatments/chemotherapy, which are central to the plot. Worldview themes: Facing mortality, Complexity of human emotion, Power of storytelling, Nature as a force of truth
Why parents choose this book
What makes A Monster Calls worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 12–18 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: readers ages 12–18 looking for a solid story.
- Personality fit: kids ages 12–18 who enjoy a good story.
Parents love this book because
- Age-appropriate content for the 12–18 band with no significant flags.
- Written by Patrick Ness, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy A Monster Calls if they…
- Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 12–18
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 12–18 age band.
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
- Language: clean language throughout.
Reading commitment
Why we recommend it
We think A Monster Calls is a confident pick for the 12–18 age band. Patrick Ness's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
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What parents say
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