In our society, sometimes the very thing that makes
each of us unique and special is also the very thing that is launched as an
attack against us and, in turn, can create a monster.
Sophie, at a very young age, developed a hemangioma,
which scarred her face, making it puffy and swollen, with purple and red bumps,
leaving her with a “monster mark”.
Throughout her life, she has been pointed at, laughed at and bullied,
both by children and adults alike and has accepted the fact that she is,
indeed, a monster. In an effort to
understand curses and her potential magic, and to learn to how to identify
other monsters, Sophie is never without her favorite book, The Big Book of Monsters,
using it as a shield in front of her face, along with her veil of dark hair,
covering her cursed mark.
As new residents in Portland, Oregon, Sophie and her
mom are both embarking on a new adventure, with big changes and scary challenges
for each. Uniquely told alongside pages
from The Big Book of Monsters, the reader struggles beside Sophie as she attends
a new school, finds new monsters, and deals with her Mom’s new monster friend,
himself with a scarred face, burned, and pitted.
This is a beautiful story of learning to love who you
are, finding those who love you, and loving others.
Author Wendy S. Swore, in her debut novel, captures love’s
characteristics of courage, wisdom, mercy and grace during the darkest of
times. A must-read for teachers, counselors, students and parents in an age
where bullying is at its peak.
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