Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cherokee horror collection has scares, insight.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As MAN MADE MONSTERs opens, it's 1839, and 16-year-old Ama Wilson is trying to escape Texas and make it to the Indian Territories with her mother Etsi, infant sister Susanna, and little brother Will. One night, two strange men arrive at their campsite, and the encounter eventually turns bloody. Over more than a century, members of Ama and Will's extended family will interact, taking part in their struggles in their Georgia homeland, in World War I and the Vietnam War, down to the present day and far beyond. They will explore life after death, domestic abuse, the legacy of colonialism, and the zombie apocalypse.
Is It Any Good?
Horror fiction embraces many cultures, and this superb collection mixes Cherokee myth with Hollywood folklore. With her YA debut, Andrea L. Rogers proves that she's got the goods when it comes to concocting stories with vivid heroes and villains. Cherokee artist Jeff Edwards provides haunting illustrations for each selection, resulting in a book that's truly exceptional.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Man Made Monsters mixes standard horror elements with the mythology of Indigenous peoples. Why are these myths and legends important? Why are they still powerful today?
How do Ama and her descendants show courage, curiosity, and teamwork?
The book contains a Cherokee glossary. Why is it important to preserve native languages?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Edwards
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Levine Querido
- Publication date : October 4, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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