My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things by Judith Viorst (Author), Kay Chorao (Illustrator)

A kid is afraid of various types of monsters. His mom tells him that these beings don't exist. However, she also tells him other things that end up being incorrect. So, he doesn't know what to trust. The "false" things his mom tells him are minor things like that he is able to carry something that he later drops, the name of one of friends or the directions to his friend's house. (in other words minor items.) In the end, there is a giant monster, but ends up being his mom giving him a hug. The illustrations are all in black and white. The story is something that kids can easily relate to.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This book has spawned so many adaptations that I was surprised at the story. Dr. Frankenstein is the creator of the monster. However, he abandons it. the monster seeks its own fulfilment. It felt like most of the novel is told from the perspective of the Frankenstein as he is going through stages of mental collapse. The monster kills multiple people and Frankenstein is among those that are questioned. He lets others die for the misdeeds of the monster. His family is destroyed by the monster. He struggles internally for what he had done. The internal fear makes the novel more powerful than the movie adaptations.