Pet
#1 in Pet Series
on Goodreads (32,457)
What’s inside...
A thought-provoking and haunting novel about a creature that escapes from an artist's canvas, whose talent is sniffing out monsters in a world that claims they don't exist anymore. Perfect for fans of Akata Witch and Shadowshaper. There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with this lesson all their life. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature made of horns and colors and claws, who emerges from one of her mother's paintings and a drop of Jam's blood, she must reconsider what she's been told. Pet has come to hunt a monster--and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption's house. Jam must fight not only to protect her best friend, but also uncover the truth, and the answer to the question How do you save the world from monsters if no one will admit they exist? In their riveting and timely young adult debut, acclaimed novelist Akwaeke Emezi asks difficult questions about what choices you can make when the society around you is in denial. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • STONEWALL BOOK AWARD WINNER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by The New York Times - Time - Buzzfeed - NPR - New York Public Library - Publishers Weekly - School Library Journal. A genre-defying novel from the award-winning author NPR describes as 'like [Madeline] L'Engle...glorious.' A singular book that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?
Character compass
Jam
Redemption
Aloe
Bitter
Pet
Discussion points
What do you think the monsters represent in the story, and why are they invisible to so many people?
How does Jam’s courage inspire you to deal with your own fears?
What did you learn about the importance of truth and justice from the story?
In what ways did the characters support each other to overcome challenges?
How would you help someone in your life if you knew they were in trouble, like Jam did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book by asking how they felt at various points in the story.
Draw parallels between the book's events and real-life situations to help your child relate the story to their experiences.
Discuss the concept of bravery shown in the book and ask your child to give examples of when they've had to be brave.
Allow your child to lead parts of the conversation to gauge their understanding and perspectives on the story’s themes.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the truth
Explanation: In 'Pet', the protagonist Jam learns to confront and uncover uncomfortable truths in a society that claims all monsters are gone.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of bravery and honesty in addressing difficult situations or truths in their own lives, encouraging them to speak up even when it's challenging.
Example Lesson: The significance of acceptance and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays Jam, who is transgender, in a positive light, focusing on acceptance from her community and her own journey of self-discovery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace diverse identities and teaches them the value of acceptance and understanding towards everyone's unique differences.
Example Lesson: The impact of taking action
Explanation: Jam takes direct action to investigate and confront the monster, showing the effects one individual's actions can have on the community.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of personal responsibility and the role each person plays in making their community a better place.
Example Lesson: Questioning and critical thinking
Explanation: Pet pushes Jam to question the so-called peace in her town and urges her to think critically about the reality of her surroundings.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to critically analyze their environments and not accept things at face value, promoting inquisitive thinking and questioning.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Throughout her journey, Jam shows deep empathy for others, understanding their fears and helping them face their own monsters.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of empathizing with others' feelings and situations, fostering a more compassionate approach to interactions.