In her latest novel for young readers, Karen Krossing explores the conflict between a boy and a monster, and how they each navigate the meaning of fear, guilt and family.
Eleven-year-old Dawz has a problem. There’s a monster named Min in his closet. Min has a problem too. She’s frightened of Dawz, worried he’ll invade her space and disturb her comfortable home. It’s a wonderful premise, and in alternating chapters, monster and boy share their journey in humourous and poignant ways.
Dawz and his younger sister, Jayla, have been abandoned by their mother and now live with Pop, their uncle, who has adopted them. Dawz and his best friend Atlas are excited to participate in a baking contest together, and working towards this goal is a welcome distraction for Dawz. But telling friends and family there’s a monster in his closet weighs heavy on him. It’s not an entirely outlandish claim, as the town of Morse where Dawz lives is famous for its monster sightings. But Dawz’s mother was known to have mental health issues, to have seen monsters. The boy fears the same fate for himself, that he’ll be ostracized, something everyone fears, never more so than in adolescence.
Meanwhile, our monster Min is growing larger and scarier, unable to control her size. She doesn’t want to change. After hearing Dawz and his family reading, Min wants nothing more than to unravel the mystery of books. That’s where she’ll find peace. But that would mean confronting the boy, something she is not prepared to do. Considering the attacks on her home, Min is understandably wary of the human population and is protective of her safe space being disturbed by the monstrous kid. Though Dawz and Min are on parallel paths to the truth, they aren’t willing to cooperate.
Krossing has created a well-rounded and vibrant world for these two, and the cast of supporting characters gives both the setting and story a fun quirkiness, helping to balance out the more serious side of Dawz and Min’s struggles. Young readers will appreciate Krossing connecting the two characters’ arcs to show their similarities, and that boy and monster are not so different; to be loved, supported and understood is what’s most important in life. Though the adult characters are sympathetic and offer guidance, it’s Dawz and Min who ultimately heal themselves.
Monster vs. Boy is a heartfelt and charming story about family, community support, and the power of acceptance of yourself and others.
Karen Krossing wrote comics and poetry as a kid and dreamed of becoming a published writer. Today she is the author of many books for young readers, including picture books Sour Cakes and One Tiny Bubble and novels Bog, Cut the Lights, and Punch Like a Girl. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches writing workshops.
- Publisher : Charlesbridge (July 11 2023)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 240 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1623543568
- ISBN-13 : 978-162354356
