The Monstrous Child

Gr 7 Up—The darkly funny testament of an accidental teenage goddess of the dead. The "Horrid Henry" author's first foray into YA follows 14-year-old Hel, an eternal teenager who also happens to be the queen of the underworld. Her legs are in a permanent state of decay. Hel's parents put her in charge of all who enter, and she grows increasingly bitter, as she has nothing to occupy her mind aside from the dreams of a lost love, Baldr. All Hel wants is to be able to tell her story. This title is perfect for "Percy Jackson" lovers who are looking for their next read. Those who enjoy the young adult work of Neil Gaiman but are not old enough for his American Gods would also appreciate this book. As Simon includes many allusions to Norse mythology throughout, this could be incorporated in similar units of study in a language arts curriculum. Small illustrations at the beginning of each chapter will help readers keep the pages turning.