What do you think?
Rate this book
Monolith
When life feels too big to understand, where do you search for answers?
When August Beck is out looking for his missing brother River, the last thing he expects to find is a monolith standing in the cornfield! August is certain the monolith and River’s disappearance are connected and that aliens are to blame. But his best friend Tilly Wilson isn’t so sure.
Tilly is an expert researcher. She has to be in order to run her own community newspaper. Tilly is always chasing down a good story, like her curious neighbor Mr. Starr, who makes art out of trash, but she isn’t convinced August’s theory is true. She's afraid he's a little too obsessed with aliens and avoiding the hard truth that little River might be gone forever.
Together they search for answers and they don’t always like the explanations. Tilly learns sometimes it’s better to let a story go, and August learns sometimes embracing the unknown yields surprising results. But between the monolith, changes within their own families, and a mysterious voice in the cornfield, both friends have an astonishing summer, one that teaches them to embrace mystery and never stop asking questions.
When August Beck is out looking for his missing brother River, the last thing he expects to find is a monolith standing in the cornfield! August is certain the monolith and River’s disappearance are connected and that aliens are to blame. But his best friend Tilly Wilson isn’t so sure.
Tilly is an expert researcher. She has to be in order to run her own community newspaper. Tilly is always chasing down a good story, like her curious neighbor Mr. Starr, who makes art out of trash, but she isn’t convinced August’s theory is true. She's afraid he's a little too obsessed with aliens and avoiding the hard truth that little River might be gone forever.
Together they search for answers and they don’t always like the explanations. Tilly learns sometimes it’s better to let a story go, and August learns sometimes embracing the unknown yields surprising results. But between the monolith, changes within their own families, and a mysterious voice in the cornfield, both friends have an astonishing summer, one that teaches them to embrace mystery and never stop asking questions.
196 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2024
20 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 13, 2023
This is a spectacular middle grade book filled with everything kids love (and adults, too!). There are two captivating mysteries that take place, a delightful sprinkling of sci-fi, and a cast of lovable characters, all set to the backdrop of a beautifully-written story. The pacing is fast—I sped through Monolith in two days. The story is riveting from the start, and keeps you hooked the whole way through. A perfect choice for a middle school student. Loved it.
March 14, 2024
Twelve-year-old August lives with his younger brother River and his grandmother on a farm that is not far from the trailer where his best friend Tilly resides with her family. When Gram is out working, it is up to August to care for River, but this is not always easy, especially when August would rather play video games than run around with his brother. One day, August becomes frustrated with River and tells him to go outside and play even though it is storming. But when River goes missing and a mysterious monolith appears in the cornfield, August cannot help but assume that the two events are connected and that he is to blame. Together with Tilly and the rest of their town, August must discover the truth behind River’s disappearance and help him find his way home before it is too late.
This middle grade novel is well-suited to readers who enjoy a mystery that feels otherworldly while simultaneously being anchored in a familiar setting. The novel is told from several perspectives, which grants readers insight into what is happening when not all the characters may be able to access the same information. Engaging dialogue, a compelling plot, and good writing keep the momentum of the story moving forward, and readers will be anxious to learn what happens next.
A map at the beginning of the book orients the reader to the Pennsylvanian countryside where August and his companions reside, and references to relevant places and businesses help make the story feel more real. Despite occasional errors in the text, the novel feels authentic and will resonate with readers in a variety of ways. August and Tilly are both characters with complicated pasts, which is a truth that makes them both accessible because of the challenges they have faced. Each character has something to gain and something to lose from their adventure, so the stakes are high. And with a very light touch of romance, this is a good fit for middle grade readers who appreciate tales that examine both human relationships and what people will do to protect those they love. This compelling story is a good addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.
This middle grade novel is well-suited to readers who enjoy a mystery that feels otherworldly while simultaneously being anchored in a familiar setting. The novel is told from several perspectives, which grants readers insight into what is happening when not all the characters may be able to access the same information. Engaging dialogue, a compelling plot, and good writing keep the momentum of the story moving forward, and readers will be anxious to learn what happens next.
A map at the beginning of the book orients the reader to the Pennsylvanian countryside where August and his companions reside, and references to relevant places and businesses help make the story feel more real. Despite occasional errors in the text, the novel feels authentic and will resonate with readers in a variety of ways. August and Tilly are both characters with complicated pasts, which is a truth that makes them both accessible because of the challenges they have faced. Each character has something to gain and something to lose from their adventure, so the stakes are high. And with a very light touch of romance, this is a good fit for middle grade readers who appreciate tales that examine both human relationships and what people will do to protect those they love. This compelling story is a good addition to library collections for confident middle grade readers.
April 30, 2024
So well written and a touching story of friendship and love, with a dash of aliens.
March 15, 2024
Monolith is the instant way to get your wonder and awe fix. Remember what it felt like to watch Close Encounters the first time? I loved everything about it. One of my favorites of 2024.
February 1, 2024
"Monolith," a captivating, beautifully written novel by Jess Rinker, will resonate not only with the middle graders for whom it is designed but also with readers of all ages. Its story follows Augie, who is desperately searching for his missing younger brother with help from his best friend Tilly. The depth and relatability of Rinker's characters leave a lasting impression. Augie's internal struggles and Tilly's unwavering support, plus her own quest to unravel the mystery behind the behavior of a neighbor, paint a vivid picture of true friendship. I highly recommend "Monolith" to those who enjoy a heartwarming, suspenseful, can't-put-it-down story with well-crafted characters and a powerful message about guilt, responsibility, and the strength of friendship.
May 19, 2024
I've read and reviewed middle grade and children's books before. This review is harsh but it's honest and I have to genuinely review this book.
Not a fan of the writing style of this author. The characters felt stiff, basic and not real. Like caricatures instead of people. The way the characters spoke at times felt too adult "I love the feeling of midnight on my skin" and at times it felt like every character in the book was a cliche. I kept finding myself not connecting with the characters or the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not a fan of the writing style of this author. The characters felt stiff, basic and not real. Like caricatures instead of people. The way the characters spoke at times felt too adult "I love the feeling of midnight on my skin" and at times it felt like every character in the book was a cliche. I kept finding myself not connecting with the characters or the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2024
This was a great overall story going on, it had everything that i was hoping for from the description. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and storyline. Jess Rinker has a great writing style and can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 29, 2024
I found this book to be really interesting. I think at my first read, I didn’t realize the twists and turns that I would be experiencing so I had to reread it just to find the mystery beneath everything I don’t wanna give spoilers but I think it’s worth the read And take notes if you can.
February 5, 2024
This is such a cool story. I especially enjoyed the mystery of August's missing brother and how his friend Tilly was so dedicated to helping him search and find out what happened.
April 10, 2024
I wish I had a book like that to read when I was in middle grade. I'm glad I continue picking up these books now as an adult, because discovering this gem has been a one-way trip. Beautifully written, easy to read, an amazing story (soft sci-fi) that takes place in rural Pennsylvania. Somewhat difficult situations to digest elegantly presented, strong (and naturaly beautiful, imperfect) bonds and of course the anguish of the main plot and how the dear friends face numerous problems from their varied perspectives and personalities. A beautiful book to give as a gift (including yourself), for any age!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews