When ten-year-old Karen Reyes picks up her sketchbook to document the world around her, she never imagined she'd become an amateur detective. Her North Side Chicago apartment building becomes a stage for mystery when her enigmatic upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg, is found dead. Armed only her B-movie horror magazines and boundless imagination, Karen sets out to solve the crime that no one else seems to care about.
What makes My Favorite Thing Is Monsters truly remarkable is how it handles weighty historical subjects through the eyes of a child. Karen's investigation of Anka's murder naturally leads her back to Nazi Germany, where the Holocaust survivor's story unfolds. The novel masterfully weaves together the personal and political, showing how history lives in our present and shapes our future. Full-color illustrations throughout bring Karen's world to life, making complex history accessible through the lens of childhood curiosity.
This isn't just another graphic novel—it's a work of literary art that has earned prestigious recognition. Winner of the 2025 Whiting Award in Fiction and included in Kirkus Reviews' Best 100 Books of the Century (So Far), the book has been praised for its innovative storytelling and emotional depth. Karen's voice rings with authenticity, capturing the wonder and confusion of growing up while grappling with adult-sized questions about justice, memory, and survival.
Whether you're a fan of mystery, historical fiction, or graphic novels that push boundaries, this book delivers on multiple levels. It's the kind of story that stays with you long after you turn the final page, inviting readers to see the world through different eyes. The interconnected stories of those around Karen create a rich tapestry that mirrors the complexity of real life, making each reading reveal new layers and connections.
