No young boy should have to take on the weight of the world, especially when a parent is terminally sick. Conor’s mum is fighting cancer and at thirteen he is trying to hold it all together and be the man of the house. But he has been having nightmares. And now a monster has come to visit Conor in the middle of the night; a monster that resembles the old yew tree out behind their house. Why is the monster calling? What does it want from Conor?
Why I picked up the book: It had been on my radar for some time. I was especially interested after hearing that it stemmed from one author’s idea and she wasn’t able to write it before she lost her battle with cancer. One of my teens read it and told me it was fabulous. Our “Never Too Old” book club picked it for May.
Why I finished it: If I had the time, I would have devoured it in one sitting. As a mom, I wanted to hold Conor and never let him go. As someone who has experienced loss, I felt right along with him.
I’d give it to: any reader who is ready for a book that might make them cry.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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Review by Jenn, YA Librarian (View all my Goodreads reviews)