The Story of a Girl and Her Monster is a middle grade book replete with elements of magical realism, and so wonderfully done that even for someone like me who is not always a big fan of magical realism or of middle great books, it became a favorite. The main character is a 10 year old girl working as a chimney sweeper all her very young life. It is a beautiful, but deeply sad story about the dangers and abuses young chimney sweepers suffered during the Victorian period in London. The author's note and the historical notes at the end of the book are informative and intriguing--Highly worth reading, especially if one wants to learn more about chimney sweeping and child labor in the Victorian era.