Exploring Themes of 'A Monster Calls' for Creative Writing

This brainstorming session aims to generate ideas for creative writing activities that explore the themes of 'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness specifically tailored for 12-year-old students.

  1. Imaginary Friend: Write a story about a 12-year-old who befriends an imaginary creature, exploring the themes of loneliness and companionship.
  2. Facing Fears: Compose a poem or short story about a character overcoming their fears, drawing parallels to the protagonist's journey in 'A Monster Calls.'
  3. Loss and Grief: Create a diary entry from the perspective of a young character dealing with the loss of a loved one, reflecting the themes of loss and grief in the book.
  4. Artistic Expression: Encourage students to draw or paint a representation of the monster from the story, accompanied by a reflective piece on the emotions it evokes.
  5. Creative Dialogue: Write a conversation between the protagonist and the monster, exploring the themes of truth, honesty, and difficult conversations.
  6. Symbolism in Nature: Task students with describing a significant tree or natural element in their own lives, connecting it to the symbolism of the yew tree in the book.
  7. Exploring Emotions: Have students write a series of haikus or short poems expressing different emotions experienced by the characters in the story.
  8. Alternate Endings: Encourage students to create an alternative ending to the story, reflecting their own interpretation of its themes and messages.
  9. Character Letters: Ask students to write a letter from the perspective of one character to another, exploring their inner thoughts and motivations.
  10. Narrative Perspective: Challenge students to rewrite a key scene from the book from the perspective of a different character, emphasizing empathy and understanding.