Mary's Monster

 

A. Bibliographic Data

 Judge, Lita. 2018. MARY’S MONSTER.  Roaring Brook Press. ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1626725004

B. Summary

Pairing free verse with over three hundred pages of black-and-white watercolor illustrations, Mary’s Monster is a unique and stunning biography of Mary Shelley, the pregnant teenage runaway who became one of the greatest authors of all time.

Legend is correct that Mary Shelley began penning Frankenstein in answer to a dare to write a ghost story. Most people don't know, however, that the seeds of her novel had been planted long before that night. By age nineteen, she had been disowned by her family, was living in scandal with a married man, and had lost her baby daughter just days after her birth. Mary poured her grief, pain, and passion into the powerful book still revered two hundred years later. In Mary's Monster, author/illustrator Lita Judge has poured her passion into a gorgeous book that pays tribute to the life of this incredible author.

C. Critical Analysis 

This unique Graphic novel tells the heartbreaking biography of the life of Mary Shelley, I am not someone who likes graphic novels typically, but this book is beautifully illustrated and interesting. I have never been into the hype of Frankenstein, but we all know the story one way or another and I found this read to intriguing. I want to actually research her more now because I found her story more interesting than Frankenstein itself. Mary had many monsters which obviously lead her to writing a piece that will carry on for generations. I find Lita Judges writing to pull you into the emotions Mary must have felt during her early years. This novel is full of darkness, romance, and horror. I recommend this to those who can handle dark, mental illness, abuse, and suicide. A great example of how writing or any expression can really help you release those monsters inside you.

D.  Book Reviews

A 2019 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book
A 2019 Amelia Bloomer Project Book

“Readers will be enthralled by the dark and exacting verse, beautifully accompanied by haunting black-and-white watercolor spreads. . . A must-purchase.” ―School Library Journal, starred review

“[T]his is a stirring, impeccably researched portrait of a remarkable woman and her literary 'progeny.' Much like Mary, Judge forges a Creature all her own.” ―Booklist

“Darkly evocative . . . Students of literature will appreciate the powerful poetry that brings life to Mary Shelley's story the way that Shelley herself breathed life into her novel of a scientist who animates a corpse.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A godsend for high school students approaching the Romantics with skepticism (and for teachers charged with demonstrating their relevance) . . . A booktalk-ready title with broad YA appeal.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Impressive.” ―Horn Book

E. Connections

·         Lita Judge Teachers Guide which is full of amazing lesson ideas.