A Monster Calls

An idea developed by the late Siobhan Dowd was brought to life by Patrick Ness after Dowd passed away due to cancer. A Monster Calls  follows thirteen year old, Conor, who is suffering from a reoccurring nightmare that just won't go away. His nights are difficult, but his days are even worse because his mother is ill with cancer and unable to care for the home. To make matters worse he is outcasted at school, has a grandmother that doesn't understand him and a father who abandoned him to start another family in a different country. As a reader it is hard to not feel bad for this young boy. Maybe if his life had less stress his hours meant for sleep wouldn't be full of horror. 

This book is deep, full of sadness and will leave you thinking about the relation between reality and dreams. What is the relation exactly? How do the two affect one another?

Current Amazon/Kindle Price- $9.34
Length- 205 pages

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Flight vs. The Absolutely True Diary...

Looking for a novel full of dry humor and sarcasm? Sherman Alexie is the author to read. Alexie has written multiple young adult novels from the perspectives of different young Indian males. These speakers have interesting personalities that come alive in the pages which makes the stories hard to stop reading. A reader, as young as 14, could easily relate to the struggles and appreciate the content. But which novel should you choose?

Flight begins with a troubled, young foster child who has nicknamed himself "Zits", due to his appearance and lack of self confidence. One day Zits meets a boy his age and under his new friends influence, Zits attempts an armed robbery at a nearby bank. During his attempted robbery something goes wrong and Zits is shot in the back of the head by security. This blow to the head triggers a sort of time travel where Zits finds himself in different time periods, living as different characters. Throughout these experiences he matures and realizes the error in his past decisions.

Current Amazon Price- $6.63 (paperback)

Length- 181 pages

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is narrated by Junior, a young Indian boy who would describe himself as an ugly, untalented outcast. One day Junior is given the opportunity to leave the impovrished reservation he and his family live at. He changes schools and becomes a student at a rich, all white school where he should stand out worse than before. However this new school brings lots of positive lessons to Junior's attention, and he eventually brings what he learns back to "The Res" and applies it to his life.

Current Amazon/Kindle Price- $ 7.99

Length- 288 pages