A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - books with similar themes - grief, bullying, isolation, acceptance by EPHS Librarian

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 10:20:46 UTC

It's 1991. Charlie Bell is mourning his father, and struggling to figure out his feelings. When he gets into trouble one too many times, he's packed off like the Fresh Prince to stay with his grandparents for the summer. There his cousin Roxie introduces him to a whole new world: basketball. A legend on the courts is born. Can Charlie resist when trouble comes knocking once again?

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 12:01:21 UTC

When Lucas survives the car accident that kills his parents, one memory stays with him - of the wolf that caused the crash. Forced to leave his home and live with his nan in the remote wilderness of the Lake District, Lucas struggles to adjust to his strange, new world. And when he learns that a wild creature is killing the livestock on the mountains, he knows it's the wolf, that it's come for him, and that he must face it.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 12:02:15 UTC

It's 1941, and Joseph has been packed off to stay with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no great fondness for children. To Joseph's amazement, she owns the city zoo where Joseph meets Adonis, a huge silverback gorilla. Adonis is ferociously strong and dangerous, but Joseph finds he has an affinity with the lonely beast. But when the bombs begin to fall, it is up to Joseph to guard Adonis's cage should it be damaged by a blast. Will Joseph be ready to pull the trigger if it comes to it?

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 12:03:19 UTC

When Emily's sister, Holly, dies, she is surprised by how much she misses Holly's toy bear. Bluey was a constant companion for Holly, always beside her in her wheelchair, and Emily used to make up stories about him and his escapades in the magical world of Smockeroon. But then very strange things start to happen. Emily dreams of talking toys visiting her bedroom, telling her that they have come from Smockeroon, and have a message for her from Bluey. Is it possible that the land of Emily's imagination really exists? And does this mean there can always be a 'happily ever after'? Do things really have to end after all?

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 12:04:45 UTC

Narrated by ten-year-old Jamie, this is a novel about the tragedy that tears apart his family after a terrorist attack. As Jamie comes to terms with his loss, he asks questions that he must answer for himself.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-07 12:28:20 UTC

When Brie was younger, her mama used to surprise her with treasure hunts around their island town and when she died three years ago these became Brie's most cherished memories. Now, on her twelfth birthday, her mama has another surprise, a series of letters leading Brie on one last treasure hunt.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 07:52:02 UTC

Sam has leukemia, and he is determined to make every minute count. What he wants are answers to the questions nobody will answer - and his research into the mystery of dying proves both humorous and uplifting.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 07:54:11 UTC

Bea's family are happy. Like, really happy. Like, kind of gross but also cute happy. So when they visit London Pride together and have the ultimate day out, Bea doesn't think her family could possibly get any happier. But a year later, a grey cloud is following Bea's family around. Dad has passed away, and without him around they have no choice but to pack their bags and move to the countryside to live with Gran. With Bea's big sister, Riley, taking the news hard, Bea will do anything to cheer her up. So with the help of new friends, The Secret Sunshine Project is formed.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 07:55:09 UTC

In a strange alternate world, where the British Empire is still a cruel ruling force, a young boy called Adam has uncovered something incredible in a rubbish dump in London - a mysterious, mythical animal. A Tyger. The Tyger is in danger, and Adam and his friend Zadie are determined to help. However, they soon realise it isn't just the Tyger's life at stake: the world they live in is also on the precipice of darkness. Luckily, the two children have great powers within them, and the Tyger can show them how to harness what's inside.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 07:57:42 UTC

There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He's nine years old (just like me), but he's very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite! But the truth is, Ahmet really isn't very strange at all. He's a refugee who's run away from a war. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to be his friend. That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in. Because you see, together we've come up with a plan.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 07:59:17 UTC

Ross Molloy just wants to be normal. He doesn't want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don't know what to say to 'the cancer kid'. But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, simply blending in is no longer an option. Ross - and his friends and his family - all need to work out how to deal with this devastating challenge that Life has thrown down. Maybe Batpig can come to the rescue? Based on Rob Harrell's own real life experience with eye cancer, and including amazing comic-strip artwork, this poignant and authentic novel is unforgettable, hilarious and uplifting.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:04:39 UTC

After Will's brother is shot in a gang crime, he knows the next steps. Don't cry. Don't snitch. Get revenge. So he gets in the lift with Shawn's gun, determined to follow The Rules. Only when the lift door opens, Buck walks in, Will's friend who died years ago. And Dani, who was shot years before that. As more people from his past arrive, Will has to ask himself if he really knows what he's doing. This haunting, lyrical, powerful verse novel will blow you away.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:10:09 UTC

When Johnny moves house and starts a new school he has to deal with a bully who can't leave him alone. But help comes from an unexpected and surprising source and Johnny's growing power soon puts him in a very special place. A chance encounter with a swan sparks a series of events that result in Johnny playing the lead in a school ballet. His teacher wants him to live the role, and when feathers start sprouting on his chest, Johnny begins to understand his true potential. But will he be strong or brave enough to beat his bullies, take care of his brother, support his mother and find a place for himself among all the chaos that is prevailing in his life.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:11:43 UTC

Even though I found him living in a house made of cardboard, Bruce is a massive legend. FACT. So this is mine and Bruce's story. You don't have to believe it happened, but it did. All of it. Nobody at school can see past Lenny's size to the person within. So when lessons get too tough, Lenny always goes to his bench to think. At least there no one can see him. Then one day, midway through lobbing his empty can of Irn-Bru into the canal he's stopped by Bruce. Bruce lives in a cardboard home hidden away by the banks, and he doesn't approve of kids messing up his front lawn . But a bumpy start soon gives way to an unexpected friendship - and an epic road trip - that will change both of them for life.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:13:02 UTC

Following the disappearance of her mum, 10-year-old Aniyah suddenly finds herself living in foster care. With her life in disarray, she knows just one thing for sure: her mum isn't gone for ever. Because people with the brightest hearts never truly leave. They become stars. So when a new star is spotted acting strangely in the sky, Aniyah is sure it's her mum, and she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to make sure everyone else knows too - an adventure that involves breaking into the Royal Observatory of London, a mischievous scurry of squirrels and the biggest star in Hollywood. Told through the innocent voice of a child, this is a story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence, and celebrates the power of hope and resilience.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:14:16 UTC

A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she's got to live. As she walks, she thinks about her journey up to this point. The terrible decor in the hospital, wearing a headscarf, the horrible treatments, but also being with her friends, family, and her new boyfriend Victor. This is a story about cancer with a happy ending. It's about life, love, and especially, hope.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:15:12 UTC

Berta is a young girl with an artistic soul growing up on a farm in the Swedish countryside at the beginning of the 20th century. Her father doesn't understand her and her mother is dying. But Berta longs to be an artist and can't stay on the farm forever. Based on the life of Swedish artist Berta Hansson, this is the story of a young woman with the bravery to live her own truth and follow her own path, despite the protests of her father and society at the time.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-08 08:22:56 UTC

Shu Lin, a Chinese immigrant girl, finds it hard to gain acceptance in her new school, until her grandpa saves the day.

ephslibraries — 2023-11-21 15:02:07 UTC

Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they've never met - until one day when they're made to sit together. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is more interested in Charlie than either of them realised.

Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

When Shadows Fall

ephslibraries — 2023-12-07 09:29:46 UTC

After suffering a huge loss, Kai is drawn on to a dangerous path. With the help of those who love him, will he find his way back? A powerful and moving story.