A Man With An Agenda

Patrick is haunted by a nightmare. When he hears strange noises outside his window he discovers...not his fear, but a different kind of monster. The ancient yew tree that he usually can only just see in the distance by the church is standing outside his bedroom window.

I had been warned about what to expect, but Patrick's story took me over by the end, I couldn't put it down. 13 is a difficult age for anyone, but with his mother undergoing cancer treatment, feeling betrayed by his best friend and an intelligent, charismatic bully - the worst kind - on his back, Patrick is not having a good time.

The monster is there to pry a terrible truth from Patrick, but its more than he feels able to give. 'A Monster Calls' could easily have gone over the edge, but there is a perfect blend of fairy tales, adolescent psychology, and heartbreak that succeeds. This is a book that will speak directly to children and adults without losing any of its message. It deserves every bit of attention its received, and more.