Are you going to the Ontario Library Association Conference at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre? If so, check out the excellent line-up of author signings, including me! You can find me there on Friday, January 26 at 1 pm to sign copies of Monster vs. Boy. Just head to the Penguin Random Canada booth. Plus, I’ll be presenting at the CANSCAIP Book Tasting event at 10:30 to 11:30 am. Hope to see you there!
middle-grade fantasy
Monster vs. Boy on CTV
Once a month, children’s author Vikki VanSickle goes on CTV’s Your Morning to recommend Canadian kids’ books. Recently, Vikki was on the show to talk about Halloween-themed titles for all ages, and included Monster vs. Boy. My book was in great company!
Plus, this book has received wonderful reviews over the last few weeks:
“While some readers may pick up Monster vs. Boy because of the promise of a horror story, Karen Krossing’s latest middle-grade novel is more a reflection of what we see and fear in others before we know them….Karen Krossing also reminds us of the magic of books and reading.”
CanLit for Little Canadians
“Monster vs. Boy is a heartfelt and charming story about family, community support, and the power of acceptance of yourself and others.”
The Miramichi Reader
“Rich with fantasy, the novel explores the definition of family, the power of friendship, and the healing that comes from confronting the trauma we may have locked behind closed doors.”
Canadian Children’s Book News
I hope you’ll pick up a copy and check it out!
Recommended Books about Monsters
Hey monster-loving readers, you can now check out my list of great middle-grade books about monsters and facing our fears on Shepherd.com.
Monster vs. Boy Giveaway!
Enter to win one of two signed copies of my latest middle-grade novel Monster vs. Boy published by Charlesbridge Publishing. Here’s what Kirkus Reviews had to say about it: “In this thoughtful story that deals with serious topics but is lightened by humor, Krossing expertly navigates what it’s like to be young and unsure of yourself…. A moving tale of learning to accept yourself, flaws and all.”
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Monster vs. Boy
by Karen Krossing
Giveaway ends September 15, 2023.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
No one in the ramshackle house knew that a monster—who was smaller than a bear cub—lived in Dawz’s bedroom closet. She called herself Mim.
Dawz wants to practice Recipes of Extreme Greatness for the Bakers’ Brawl competition and forget about his mom, who left him and his sister, Jayla, years ago. He does not want to see a monster that no one else can see.
Mim wants to explore her closet’s nooks and crannies, and listen to stories through the door. She does not want to share her space with the horrible boy outside the closet.
When Mim leaves Dawz’s closet for the first time, the two learn they’re connected in ways neither can explain. While Mim searches the wide world for a friend, Dawz searches for a way to get rid of her so that he can be normal. Can the two find a way to break their connection without losing who they are?
This moving middle-grade novel is about found family, facing our fears, and mental health. It asks the question: What if the monsters that haunt us aren’t monsters at all?
Guest Post: Addressing the Monster in the Closet
Recently on L.E. Carmichael‘s Cantastic Authorpalooza blog, I talked about my inspiration for writing Monster vs. Boy. To check it out, go to “Karen Krossing: Addressing the Monster in the Closet.” Also, please check out L.E. Carmichael’s fantastic books!
To hear me reading from Monster vs. Boy, please check out this video.
For ideas about how to share Monster vs. Boy with young readers, please see this Discussion Guide.
New Review of Monster vs. Boy
Sometimes, you receive a book review that gets what you were trying to achieve.
“A book whose story of a boy hunting a monster is really about mental health and learning to accept the darkest parts of oneself…. Stated differences in racial and sexual identities also feed into themes of acceptance and support the idea that Dawz must appreciate everything about himself, just as those around him accept and appreciate each other. Monster vs. Boy is a supportive novel in which a boy learns to address his trauma—with his community’s support.“
Foreword Reviews
Six more sleeps until this book launches into the world with a gorgeous cover by Markia Jenai!
Monster vs. Boy Coming July 11
One month until the release date of my middle-grade novel Monster vs. Boy with Charlesbridge Publishing! You can watch a video sneak peak of it here. The gorgeous cover and illustrations are by Markia Jenai. Here’s what Publishers Weekly had to say about it:
“With realistically limned characters, the author explores pensive themes surrounding acceptance of oneself and of others to deliver a sensitive rumination on personhood and kindness.”
Video Introducing Monster vs. Boy
Curious about my upcoming novel Monster vs. Boy? Here’s a sneak peek.
What if the monsters that haunt us aren’t monsters at all?
First Review of Monster vs. Boy
First review of my middle-grade novel Monster vs. Boy! Thanks to Kirkus Reviews for understanding this book:
“In this thoughtful story that deals with serious topics but is lightened by humor, Krossing expertly navigates what it’s like to be young and unsure of yourself…. A moving tale of learning to accept yourself, flaws and all.”
It’s coming in July 2023 from Charlesbridge Publishing with a gorgeous cover by Markia Jenai. Available for pre-order now.
Book Buzz for Monster vs. Boy
My heart is full of gratitude for two wonderful blurbs for my upcoming middle-grade novel Monster vs. Boy. Thank you to William Alexander and Linda Urban. You supported this fledgling idea and it grew wings … er … claws.
Coming July 11 with gorgeous cover art by Markia Jenai! Wonderfully edited and designed by the team at Charlesbridge Publishing! And I am forever grateful to my agent Ginger Knowlton for her support and insights!
The Writing Quest: A Q&A with Karen Krossing
I first crossed paths with Anne-Marie Strohman when we both attended the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), and I quickly learned that she is an insightful writer and a fabulous community organizer. It was an honour to be interviewed by Anne-Marie on KidLitCraft, especially because she asked so many thoughtful questions. We discussed writing inspiration, what I learned at VCFA, writing quests, and more. Please take a look, and don’t forget to sign up for the KidLitCraft newsletter for more great content.
Cover Reveal: Monster vs. Boy
It’s cover reveal day! I’m thrilled to share Markia Jenia‘s cover art for my upcoming middle-grade novel Monster vs. Boy! Markia has perfectly captured the characters and mood of this story, and I can’t wait to share this book with you. It’ll be published by Charlesbridge Publishing in July 2023, and it’s available for pre-sale now!
Will you laugh if I tell you that Monster vs. Boy feels like it’s autobiographical? I have sometimes felt like the monster in the closet, and I’ve also been terrified that a monster might be living in my closet. Here’s an intro to the book:
No one in the ramshackle house knew that a monster—who was smaller than a bear cub—lived in Dawz’s bedroom closet. She called herself Mim.
Dawz wants to practice Recipes of Extreme Greatness for the Bakers’ Brawl competition and forget about his mom, who left him and his sister, Jayla, years ago. He does not want to see a monster that no one else can see.
Mim wants to explore her closet’s nooks and crannies, and listen to stories through the door. She does not want to share her space with the horrible boy outside the closet.
When Mim leaves Dawz’s closet for the first time, the two learn they’re connected in ways neither can explain. While Mim searches the wide world for a friend, Dawz searches for a way to get rid of her so that he can be normal. Can the two find a way to break their connection without losing who they are?
This moving middle-grade novel is about found family, facing our fears, and mental health. It asks the question: What if the monsters that haunt us aren’t monsters at all?
Happy World Read Aloud Day!
Happy World Read Aloud Day! Today, I’ll be visiting virtually with grade 3 classes at Claremont Elementary School in Ossining, New York, to share my picture book Sour Cakes.
For everyone else, here’s a link to a video I made for another World Read Aloud Day. You can listen to me read from my novel Bog, which won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada in 2015. In Bog, a cave troll with a grudge against humans is forced to confront his own prejudice when he embarks on a quest into human territory. Read on!
New Book Deal: Fantasy Novel for Kids
Exciting news! I’ll be publishing a new fantasy novel for kids with Charlesbridge Publishing. Thanks to agent-extraordinaire Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown for her support. Thanks to Alex McKenzie and Charlesbridge for seeing the potential in this novel. Here’s the official announcement:
I’m grateful to the Ontario Arts Council for awarding a writing grant to this project when it was a newly hatched idea. I’m also grateful to my creative community for feedback and encouragement while writing and revising.
Monster vs. Boy includes a character who might be my personal favourite among all those I’ve written so far. But I don’t think an author is supposed to have a favourite, so let’s just say that I adore writing this one.
I’m looking forward to sharing this story!