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5c_sami's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book I would have loved has a kid. I listen to the audio book and it was pretty good. It was a little slow listening, which is good for kids but a little slow for an adult. But the subject and the characters were solid and believable. Would recommend to early readers!
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful middle grade debut about a young girl with a blood tumor on her face that she's convinced makes her a monster. Sophie has a vivid imagination and uses her "Big book of monsters" to help unmask the real identities of the people around her.
The bullies at school are all clearly goblins and trolls and her new best friend is a fairy but Sophie is fixated on the belief that her disfigurement is monstrous. Part fantasy, part big-hearted story about self-acceptance and differences.
I couldn't put this book down and loved the message that it's our choices not our looks that determine who we really are. Highly recommended, especially for fans of R. J. Palacio's Wonder.
Favorite quote:
"All of us carry monster marks Sophie, it's just that some of us carry them on the outside...I think it's the choices we make that make people monsters or not."
The bullies at school are all clearly goblins and trolls and her new best friend is a fairy but Sophie is fixated on the belief that her disfigurement is monstrous. Part fantasy, part big-hearted story about self-acceptance and differences.
I couldn't put this book down and loved the message that it's our choices not our looks that determine who we really are. Highly recommended, especially for fans of R. J. Palacio's Wonder.
Favorite quote:
"All of us carry monster marks Sophie, it's just that some of us carry them on the outside...I think it's the choices we make that make people monsters or not."
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book about a little girl learning to accept herself as she is, even though the blood tumor on her face makes her a constant victim of second looks, snide comments, and merciless teasing. As she learns the value of true friendship and seeing other people for what they really are, she is able to see her own worth much more clearly. The story feels authentic (the author had a blood tumor as a child), with Sophie acting and thinking in ways that felt true to an 11-year-old. It's also sweet, touching, and unique in some ways. Both children and adults (especially fans of WONDER by R.J. Palacio) will find a lot to love in this one. It's one of the best books I've read so far this year.
biblio_amy's review against another edition
3.0
Good book with a good message on bullying. I like the excerpts before each chapter from Sophie's monster book but at times felt they didn't mesh well with the chapter.
katiemayveil's review against another edition
4.0
Sophie and her copy of 'The Big Book of Monsters' are inseparable. She carries it around everywhere. This book helps her see who is really a monster in disguise. In fact, she is a monster herself.
She uses this book to protect her and her mom from the monsters around them. She believes she was cursed as a baby, and that's what made her into a monster. She is now on a mission with her best friend to break the curse and be normal, like everyone else.
Sophie looks different and has spent her life trying to hide the 'monster' part of her from everyone else. Over the course of the book, she realizes that it's not how someone looks but the choices they make that determine whether or not they are a monster. She decides to be herself and not hide the 'monster' part of her, and she learns what is really important.
Each chapter starts with an excerpt from 'The Big Book of Monsters,' at first these are descriptions of the creatures, but slowly the excerpts contain words of wisdom. One of my favorites is, "Like witches, humans have the power to choose. Would you help someone in need? Or laugh when an enemy falls? Remember, the way you treat others defines who you are. Is your heart black or white?" I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think it would be a great story to read in a classroom, or out loud to your children. There are important lessons that can be learned from this book. It compares in it's writing to 'Wonder,' 'Mustaches for Maddie,' and 'Squint.' I think this story will resonate with a wide audience, regardless of age.
She uses this book to protect her and her mom from the monsters around them. She believes she was cursed as a baby, and that's what made her into a monster. She is now on a mission with her best friend to break the curse and be normal, like everyone else.
Sophie looks different and has spent her life trying to hide the 'monster' part of her from everyone else. Over the course of the book, she realizes that it's not how someone looks but the choices they make that determine whether or not they are a monster. She decides to be herself and not hide the 'monster' part of her, and she learns what is really important.
Each chapter starts with an excerpt from 'The Big Book of Monsters,' at first these are descriptions of the creatures, but slowly the excerpts contain words of wisdom. One of my favorites is, "Like witches, humans have the power to choose. Would you help someone in need? Or laugh when an enemy falls? Remember, the way you treat others defines who you are. Is your heart black or white?" I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think it would be a great story to read in a classroom, or out loud to your children. There are important lessons that can be learned from this book. It compares in it's writing to 'Wonder,' 'Mustaches for Maddie,' and 'Squint.' I think this story will resonate with a wide audience, regardless of age.
thepolybrary's review against another edition
4.0
Sophie thinks she's a monster. She thinks a lot of people around her are monsters too, and she carries her Big Book of Monsters around almost everywhere she goes so that she can identify them and protect herself and her mom from them. The big birthmark - a hermangioma - that covers one side of her face makes kids and even adults stare and even make fun of her, and as a result she has severe social anxiety. Her world of monsters helps everything make sense. Until things start to change, and the bullying gets worse, and her monsters might just make her lose the only friend she's ever had.
This was a fantastic book! Sophie is 11 years old, and the writing will appeal to kids that age and even a little older. The idea of Sophie so fully believing in the idea of people being monsters, will be a little more hard to go along with, but the book has a cast of loving, supportive adults that - while not hogging the page time - make it clear that Sophie's way of dealing with the issues caused by her birthmark is not the healthiest way.
Autumn, a sweetheart of a girl at Sophie's new school, is such a vivacious, loving friend to Sophie that she unwittingly opens an entire new world to her shy friend. Autumn's grandmother, a gardener and herbalist, is another new friend that slowly draws Sophie out of her shell with gentleness and acceptance.
I really liked that Sophie's mom was such a positive character. Even though she was far from perfect, she loved Sophie with all her heart and really, truly wanted the absolute best for her. In so many MG and YA books the parents are negative influences and I was happy to see a strong mother/daughter relationship.
4/5 stars. Strongly recommend for any kid and any library! Also worth noting: the author herself had a hermangioma as a child, and some of the incidents in the book came from her experiences. Now available!
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This was a fantastic book! Sophie is 11 years old, and the writing will appeal to kids that age and even a little older. The idea of Sophie so fully believing in the idea of people being monsters, will be a little more hard to go along with, but the book has a cast of loving, supportive adults that - while not hogging the page time - make it clear that Sophie's way of dealing with the issues caused by her birthmark is not the healthiest way.
Autumn, a sweetheart of a girl at Sophie's new school, is such a vivacious, loving friend to Sophie that she unwittingly opens an entire new world to her shy friend. Autumn's grandmother, a gardener and herbalist, is another new friend that slowly draws Sophie out of her shell with gentleness and acceptance.
I really liked that Sophie's mom was such a positive character. Even though she was far from perfect, she loved Sophie with all her heart and really, truly wanted the absolute best for her. In so many MG and YA books the parents are negative influences and I was happy to see a strong mother/daughter relationship.
4/5 stars. Strongly recommend for any kid and any library! Also worth noting: the author herself had a hermangioma as a child, and some of the incidents in the book came from her experiences. Now available!
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram | Google+
froydis's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade novel! We had the author come to speak at our library, and I bought both her books because they looked so good. This is a heartwarming story with some funny moments and some sad moments. It is in the same vein as [b:Wonder|38491874|Wonder|R.J. Palacio|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518451641l/38491874._SX50_.jpg|16319487], but definitely is its own unique story. Kids will relate to many of the situations, and parents will enjoy the down-to-earth writing and plot. Highly Recommended!
hgraybrown's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie has a blood tumor on her face that makes her feel monstrous and unlovable. Equating herself with monsters helps her make sense of her appearance, but it also limits her ability to cope with some of life's challenges. When she and her mom begin a new life in a new place, Sophie carries her struggles with her. Will new friendships help Sophie and her mom come to terms with their situation?
This is a story about gaining perspective and courage in the face of adversity. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from Sophie's Big Book of Monsters, which will have great appeal to children who like reading about fantastical creatures and legends. The cover art is excellent and will attract readers. I recommend this book for students in Grades 3-6.
Sophie has a blood tumor on her face that makes her feel monstrous and unlovable. Equating herself with monsters helps her make sense of her appearance, but it also limits her ability to cope with some of life's challenges. When she and her mom begin a new life in a new place, Sophie carries her struggles with her. Will new friendships help Sophie and her mom come to terms with their situation?
This is a story about gaining perspective and courage in the face of adversity. Interspersed throughout the story are excerpts from Sophie's Big Book of Monsters, which will have great appeal to children who like reading about fantastical creatures and legends. The cover art is excellent and will attract readers. I recommend this book for students in Grades 3-6.
dana_dew's review against another edition
3.0
2.7-3☆
I like folklore and Faerie tales, so I appreciated the Big Book of Monsters that Sophie clung to for both emotional support and for identification. There are some good lessons to be had in this story, though perhaps a bit heavy-handed at times. I would certainly let my child read it but I'm not pushing anyone to seek this title out.
Mild spoilers: I will say that I found it somewhat - strange?...off-putting?... cliché? at the author's choice of using Native Americans in a mystical trope-y one-dimentional generic way.
There were moments that I really liked this book. Other times, I found myself more interested in reading the fictional 'Big Book of Monsters' (the encyclopedic bestiary of magical/ mythical creatures from a plethora of cultural and religious backgrounds) that Sophie carries around than the actual book in my hands.
That said, there are some great themes in here to explore with kids- bullying, self-acceptance, etc... Read the blurb; if it sounds interesting to you, then pick this one up.
I like folklore and Faerie tales, so I appreciated the Big Book of Monsters that Sophie clung to for both emotional support and for identification. There are some good lessons to be had in this story, though perhaps a bit heavy-handed at times. I would certainly let my child read it but I'm not pushing anyone to seek this title out.
Mild spoilers: I will say that I found it somewhat - strange?...off-putting?... cliché? at the author's choice of using Native Americans in a mystical trope-y one-dimentional generic way.
There were moments that I really liked this book. Other times, I found myself more interested in reading the fictional 'Big Book of Monsters' (the encyclopedic bestiary of magical/ mythical creatures from a plethora of cultural and religious backgrounds) that Sophie carries around than the actual book in my hands.
That said, there are some great themes in here to explore with kids- bullying, self-acceptance, etc... Read the blurb; if it sounds interesting to you, then pick this one up.
rsnow11's review against another edition
4.0
This book is chock full of great messages, and the premise is good, but the characters just felt a little too young for me to get into it. I wanted to talk sense into them lol