
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with explosive anger or feels like a monster because of impulses they cannot yet control. This story follows Natalie, a girl who feels like there is a literal monster inside her that takes over when she is frustrated. It beautifully addresses the shame and guilt that follow a meltdown, providing a safe space to discuss internal emotional regulation. At its core, the book is about self-acceptance and learning that big feelings do not make you a bad person. It is highly appropriate for the middle-grade years when social pressures and changing hormones can make emotional outbursts feel particularly scary. Parents will appreciate how it moves beyond just identifying feelings to showing the hard work of managing them within a family and school context.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with mental health and emotional control through a metaphorical approach that borders on magical realism but remains firmly rooted in secular, realistic experiences. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, emphasizing management rather than a 'cure.'
A 9 or 10-year-old who has been sent to the principal's office for a flare-up and feels like they are 'the bad kid.' It is perfect for children who internalize their mistakes and need to see that their behavior is not their identity.
Parents should be prepared for scenes of genuine distress and social isolation. It is helpful to read this alongside the child to discuss the 'monster' as a separate entity from Natalie's character. A parent might choose this after their child has had a public meltdown or an uncharacteristic outburst, and later asks, 'Why am I like this?' or says, 'I hate myself.'
Younger readers in the 8-9 range will focus on the 'monster' aspect and the physical sensation of anger. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the social consequences and the nuance of Natalie's changing relationships.
Unlike many books that treat anger as a simple problem to be solved with 'breathing,' this book honors the visceral, frightening power of losing control and the heavy burden of the shame that follows.
Natalie is a young girl who experiences intense, uncontrollable bursts of anger which she conceptualizes as a monster living inside her. The story follows her as she navigates school friendships, family dynamics, and the constant fear that her 'monster' will drive everyone away. It is a grounded, realistic look at emotional dysregulation through a light metaphorical lens.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.