Publication Date: 6 November 2025

The Blurb

Eddie feels invisible – his sister Scarlet isn’t well and nobody seems to remember that he’s here. Out in the forest, as the ice hardens and winter gets deeper, the world is quiet.

But there’s a monster deep among the trees – a monster that’s growing with every sad and angry thought Eddie says out loud. When a little red bird takes him to meet Mari, a strange and fierce girl with blurred edges just like him, she shows Eddie how to be loud, how to make new friends at school, and enjoy the music he loves again.

As Scarlet’s big operation approaches and Eddie gathers his courage to finally be heard, will he find his way back through the snow and put the monster to rest once and for all?

The Review

Tender, raw, and ultimately hopeful, Robin is a story about finding the courage to be heard, even when it feels as though the world itself is trying to muffle you.

From the very first page, we meet Eddie, and see a boy weighed down by the heavy pressure of doing the right thing for everyone else at his own expense. Feeling invisible and alone as his sister’s illness takes center stage, he finds an unexpected lifeline in Mari, a girl who understands exactly what it means to be unseen, and Robin, the beautiful little song bird who demands to be heard. They both help Eddie reclaim his voice and rediscover the music he thought he’d lost.

As the winter frost hardens and the monster hunt in the woods intensifies, the story takes on a truly poignant layer. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming to watch Eddie realize that the monster in the woods isn’t a villain to be defeated by a sword, but a manifestation of his own suppressed grief. By trying to stay quiet and brave, he has actually been feeding the beast.

Sarah Ann Juckes captures the invisible experience of glass siblings with perfect sensitivity. It is rare to see the complex tangle of love, resentment, and guilt handled with such tenderness for this age group. I especially loved how the restorative power of nature is woven throughout the narrative.

A Monster Calls for middle grade readers, Robin serves as a vital conversation starter for empathy, and is perfect for supporting peers understanding of those navigating family crises.

Great for fans of:

• The Wild Way Home by Sophie Kirtley
• The Soup Movement by Ben Davis
• Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs? by Simon Packham

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy.