A Monster Calls Walker Books

A Monster Calls is a illustrated novel from Walker Books in which a boy named Conor is visited by a ancient tree‑like monster while his mother is dying, blending fantasy and realism to explore grief and truth. Inspired by an idea from the late Siobhan Dowd, Patrick Ness weaves a powerful story about loss, anger, and acceptance that resonates with both teens and adults. Often shelved as YA and crossover literary fiction, the book is widely studied in schools and praised for its emotional depth and striking artwork.