A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd

Marc Notes: Originally published: London: Walker, 2011.; The monster showed up just after midnight. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his back garden, though, this monster, is something different. Something ancient, something wild. Biographical Note: Patrick Ness is the author of the critically acclaimed and best-selling Chaos Walking trilogy. He has won numerous awards, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Booktrust Teenage Prize, and the Costa Children's Book Award. Born in Virginia, he lives in London. Siobhan Dowd spent twenty years as a human rights campaigner for PEN and Amnesty International before her first novel, A SWIFT PURE CRY, was published in 2006. She won the Carnegie Medal posthumously in 2009 after her death at the age of forty-seven. Jim Kay studied illustration and worked in the archives of the Tate Gallery and the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, two experiences that heavily influence his work. His images for A MONSTER CALLS use everything from beetles to breadboards to create interesting marks and textures. Jim Kay lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Review Quotes: There's no denying it: this is one profoundly sad story. But it's also wise, darkly funny and brave, told in spare sentences, punctuated with fantastic images and stirring silences. Past his sorrow, fright and rage, Conor ultimately lands in a place - an imperfect one, of course - where healing can begin. A MONSTER CALLS is a gift from a generous storyteller and a potent piece of art. The New York Times A nuanced tale that draws on elements of classic horror stories to delve into the terrifying terrain of loss. . . . Ness brilliantly captures Conor's horrifying emotional ride as his mother's inevitable death approaches. In an ideal pairing of text and illustration, the novel is liberally laced with Kay's evocatively textured pen-and-ink artwork, which surrounds the text, softly caressing it in quiet moments and in others rushing toward the viewer with a nightmarish intensity. A poignant tribute to the life and talent of Siobhan Dowd and an astonishing exploration of fear. Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Profoundly moving, expertly crafted tale... a singular masterpiece, exceptionally well-served by Kay's atmospheric and ominous illustrations... tackles the toughest of subjects by refusing to flinch, meeting the ugly truth about life head-on with compassion, bravery, and insight. Publishers Weekly (starred review) A brilliantly executed, powerful tale. School Library Journal (starred review) Ness twists out a resolution that is revelatory in its obviousness, beautiful in its execution, and fearless in its honesty. Kays artwork keeps the pace, gnawing at the edges of the pages with thundercloud shadows and keeping the monster just barely, terribly seeable. Booklist (starred review) A masterpiece about life and loss that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned. Library Media Connection (starred review)"Publisher Marketing: An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor. At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting-- he's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It's ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd-- whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself-- Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined. Review Citations: Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2011 pg. 93 (EAN 9780763656331, Other) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2011 (EAN 9780763656331, Other) Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2012 pg. 136 (EAN 9781455822492, Compact Disc) School Library Journal 03/01/2012 pg. 82 (EAN 9781455822492, Compact Disc) - *Starred Review Publishers Weekly 06/20/2011 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Booklist 07/01/2011 pg. 52 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2011 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2011 pg. 93 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) School Library Journal 09/01/2011 pg. 164 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) - *Starred Review Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2011 pg. 407 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) New York Times Book Review 10/16/2011 pg. 18 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2011 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) New York Times Book Review 10/23/2011 pg. 30 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Shelf Awareness 09/27/2011 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/07/2011 pg. 40 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/04/2011 pg. 33 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Kirkus Best Young-Adult Books 12/01/2011 pg. 2223 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2012 pg. 13 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) - *Starred Review SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2011 pg. 29 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) LJ Best Books of Year 12/01/2011 pg. 64 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Wilson Middle/Junior Hi Catalo 01/01/2012 pg. 108 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 107 (EAN 9780763655594, Hardcover) Contributor Bio:  Ness, Patrick Patrick Ness is the author of eight novels and a short story collection. He's best known for his books for young adults, including the Chaos Walking trilogy and More Than This. He won the Carnegie Medal the highest award for children's books in the UK twice in a row, for Monsters of Men and A Monster Calls. A Monster Calls was also the first book ever to simultaneously win the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration and the Carnegie Medal. Patrick has taught creative writing at Oxford University and is a literary critic for the Guardian. Born in Virginia, he lives in London.