Frank the Monster
Mats Strandberg author Sofia Falkenhem illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Lerner Publishing Group
Published:7th Apr '26
Should be back in stock very soon
Frank is nipped by a dog on his ninth birthday, and his life turns inside out. His nights fill with mysterious dreams and eerie adventures. A wild beast is reported roaming the town after dark.
Frightening encounters lead to Frank’s discovery that he is the shapeshifter. But he can’t understand why everyone is afraid. Even in his monster form, Frank is still a boy inside—just one who feels a strong urge to have his tummy scratched.
Forced to own his new identity, Frank learns about the town’s secret underbelly. Beneath the library live other monsters, hiding from the humans. Perhaps he has found a place to belong.
Frank the Monster is a gripping adventure about trying to belong, with a big warm heart.
"An excellent bridge between transitional chapter books and novels, the chapters are short and Falkenhem's striking black, white, and blue illustrations will engage reluctant readers. . . . With themes of bullying, growing up, and belonging, this story will resonate with kids who need reassurance that it's okay to be different."—starred, School Library Journal
"Spare, dry and elegant, with transporting two-colour illustrations, this thoughtful 7+ book is laced with just the right amount of peril."—The Guardian
"This series starter from Swiss horror-writer Strandberg gives a playful introduction to the genre that is brushed with suspense but never dips into real frights. The short chapters are peppered with two-toned illustrations that set the right mood, and young readers—particularly the Franny K. Stein crowd—will delight in Frank's shape-shifting exploits."—Booklist
"Strandberg's well-crafted small-town setting and suspenseful pacing draw readers in, while his quietly matter-of-fact prose, speckled with satisfying detail, expresses Frank's frustration, alienation, and even rage—feelings his young audience will recognize. . . . An invigorating take on a well-worn paranormal trope."—Kirkus Reviews
"A fresh take on a classic monster mythos in this timeless-feeling series starter."—Publishers Weekly
- Junior Library Guild Selection
ISBN: 9798348029661
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 222g
112 pages