Title:  A Monster Calls
Author:  Patrick Ness
Publisher:  Walker Books
Available:  Now

Source:  Purchase
Genre: MG/YA

Rating:  7 thumbs up

Synopsis: 
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

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 one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth. 

Review:
Wow, this was an incredible ride on a very sensitive subject.  But it is so relevant.  It's hard to watch our parents wither in front of us and maybe not know exactly what is going on or where to turn.  The art work is amazing, worth the cost of picking up this book in paperback edition.  Totally loved it and our family read this book in like 3 days for everyone (5 of us) and then went to see the movie.  While the movie diverted slightly from the book, it still brought out the tears.  Looking for something a bit darker, a bit more scary?  Pick this up.  Highly recommend!

Awards:
Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Novel (2011), Kate Greenaway Medal (2012), Galaxy British Book Awards for Children's Book of the Year (2011), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Young Adult Literature (2011), Red House Children's Book Award (2012)