Heads up warning: this book rips your heart out, but only in the best ways. The ancient yew tree that Conor can see out his back window is secretly a monster that is walking to help Conor with his troubles. His troubles are many, with one root cause, his mother is dying. The monster makes a deal with Conor. He will tell three stores, and then Conor must return the favor.


I would love to teach this book. For something so short, there is so much depth and heart, and everything else that makes a book that will forever be a classic. Why does the monster walk? What about all that destruction? How does that help Conor? Plus having someone to commiserate with would also be a good thing. I got through this book with only a few tears, but I will have to read many, many happy things to fill the gaping hole in my heart.


Part of me feels the story ends too soon, but the rest of me doesn’t want to go further. I don't want to know what happens when Conor walks away from the hospital room. I don’t want to know if he goes to live with his grandmother or his father. I don’t want to know because it would drag out the pain. This too must be dealt with. The bandage needs to be ripped, since I do not have my own monster walking to help me with the emotional aftereffects of this wonderful piece of literature.