Cover of A Monster Calls

Young adult · Fantasy

A Monster Calls

4.4 out of 5, from 614 ratings from Hardcover readers

Thirteen-year-old Conor is visited each night by a yew-tree monster who tells him three stories and demands a fourth, his own truth. Meanwhile, his mother is seriously ill and he is bullied at school.

Facts last checked 2026-10-17

First published
2011
Pace
Medium
Length
Short
Pages
226
Format
Standalone

Read this if you want a short, moving story about grief and honesty that suits teens and adults.

Skip this if you are not ready for a story about a parent's terminal illness.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Grief
  • Terminal illness
  • Bullying
  • Death

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Violence
  • Cursing
  • Medical content
  • Cancer
  • Death of parent
  • Blood

Quick answers about A Monster Calls

What is A Monster Calls about?
Thirteen-year-old Conor is visited each night by a yew-tree monster who tells him three stories and demands a fourth, his own truth. Meanwhile, his mother is seriously ill and he is bullied at school.
Who should read A Monster Calls?
Read it if you want a short, moving story about grief and honesty that suits teens and adults. Skip it if you are not ready for a story about a parent's terminal illness.
How long and how fast is A Monster Calls?
It is a medium-paced, short read of about 226 pages, first published in 2011.
Does A Monster Calls have content warnings?
Content we flag: Grief, Terminal illness, Bullying, Death.
Can I borrow A Monster Calls for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Monster Calls; the borrow button above searches it for you.

Where to get it

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Young adult

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