'A Monster Calls' is the story Conor O'Malley, a thirteen year old boy who is trying to cope with his Mum's illness whilst experiencing a terrible nightmare and bullying at school, Conor feels invisible and isolated. One night Conor wakes from his nightmare, its 12.07 am and he is surprised to finds the Yew tree which he has seen from his window in the church's graveyard his whole life is walking towards his house, Conor is surprised but not scared, much to the monster's chagrin. The monster tells Conor he will tell three stories and Conor must tell the monster the fourth story, a true story if Conor wants to survive.

As the monster tells the stories on each visit and also appears to Conor during the day, Conor finds it more difficult to cope with the risk of losing his Mum, the frustration and anger he feels at the world around him. Conor needs help and he hopes that the monster in some small way will help him.

'A Monster Calls' is a beautiful book, Conor's character will feel familiar to so many people who have experienced grief and the book unfolds in such a way that you share the journey with him.

The saddest part of the book is the fact that Siobhan Dowd, who originally thought of the story never got to see it in print but Patrick Ness has done an amazing job of bringing the story to life and left a memorable and heart warming legacy.

You will have a wee tear in your eye at the end, I did.