Pet

The city of Lucille is safe from monsters—or so they say. When Pet, a monster, emerges one night from one of Jam’s mother’s paintings, Jam questions whether everything she has ever known and believed is true. Who are the real monsters here? Strong imagery and descriptive language create a unique setting in this dystopian world, and readers in Grade 9–11 may be inspired to explore complex ideas and themes such as justice, family loyalties, and perception versus reality. In the classroom, “Pet” may be used as an independent novel choice or as part of a literature circle and lends itself well to encourage students to consider the role of justice and social responsibility in society.