The Monster and the Clown
The Monster and the Clown is the first sequel to Mats Strandberg’s Frank the Monster, and it continues the adventures of little Frank Steen, a were-puppy, as he tries to adjust to life in a small town that is terrified of monsters.
In the first book, Frank discovered a secret community of monsters who live in the basement of the town library. He thought that perhaps amongst them he would be safe. But in this new book a real and terrifying monster comes to town: A CLOWN!
Kruger the Clown is a professional monster hunter, and his circus thrives on the strange creatures that he captures and forces to do tricks. Having heard that Frank’s town was plagued by monsters on the national news, Kruger has decided that Yrred would be a good place to go hunting.
As you may recall, these books are intended for children who don’t fit in. Frank’s parents can’t understand why he isn’t a “normal” little boy like his brother, Oliver. The other kids at school can sense that Frank is a loner and tease him mercilessly. Only amongst the monsters can Frank find friends.
However, this book will test Frank’s friends to the limit. The older monsters have heard of Kruger and are frighted of him. Only Frank and his two best friends, Magnolia and Jas, are brave enough to try to stand up to the clown and rescue the young centaur that he has imprisoned. But what can a were-puppy and two young ghosts hope to do against the terror of: A CLOWN!
Yes, it is fun, and silly, and heartwarming. It is also very much about how kids can have a keen sense of right and wrong, while adults are too afraid to act.
As with book 1 in the series, Sofia Falkenhem’s art beautifully complements the story, and Julia Marshall has transformed the original Swedish into excellent English.
These books should be in every school library. Most adults will be blissfully unaware that they are about being a queer kid.
Title: The Monster and the Clown
By: Mats Strandberg & Sofia Falkenhem
Translator: Julia Marshall
Publisher: Gecko Press
Purchase links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Bookshop.org UK
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