Monster Calls
Patrick Ness
Monster Calls
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd
by Patrick Ness
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if a monster came to visit you in the night, but it wasn’t there to scare you? Imagine facing your biggest fears and secrets while a mysterious creature tells stories that change everything. Could a monster be the key to understanding your world?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a powerful middle-grade novel that explores themes of grief, family, and courage through the lens of a young boy visited by a supernatural monster. Suitable for ages 9-12, it combines fantasy with emotional depth, offering a thoughtful look at coping with difficult changes, including illness and single-parent family dynamics. This special collector's edition also includes exclusive insights into the book’s creation and its film adaptation, making it a rich experience for both readers and parents.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781406365771
- Pages
- 360
- Publisher
- Walker Books, Limited
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction