Book review: Stuttering Monster

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Srishti Gopal from our volunteer review team shares her thoughts on the new book for 9-14-year-olds Stuttering Monster, by John Blosse.

Stuttering Monster by John Blosse is a powerful coming-of-age story about Aubrey, a boy who stammers, and his first term at Marlborough High, where he faces anxiety, bullying, misunderstandings and a deep fear of being seen or heard. However, through friendships, support from a teacher, Mrs Iniesta, and his involvement in the performing arts, Aubrey gradually begins to reclaim his voice. 

The narrative covers therapy, self-reflection and vivid daydreams, flowing like an internal monologue that brings readers inside Aubrey's head. The book is semi-autobiographical, with Blosse drawing on his own traumatic experiences with stammering and his professional background as a therapist to navigate emotional growth gently and honestly. 

Monster

Aimed at 9 to 14-year-olds, but valuable for all, Stuttering Monster provides one of the most detailed and emotionally accurate portrayals of stammering in fiction that I've read. It dives deeply into the physical speech struggles as well as the emotional toll: shame, fear of laughter, the desire to disappear, mental preparation and imaginary rehearsals. 

The 'Stuttering Monster' is Aubrey's metaphor for the overwhelming, unpredictable force that takes control of his speech, perfectly capturing how consuming and terrifying stammering can feel, especially for a kid trying to fit in and find his place. 

At the start, stammering is very much a monster to Aubrey, something he wants to get rid of entirely. But over time, he learns to take control of this monster, not by fighting it endlessly, but by changing the way he relates to it.

Stuttering Monster provides one of the most detailed and emotionally accurate portrayals of stammering in fiction that I've read. 

The Stuttering Monster is countered with a butterfly:

'I imagine a battle, my butterfly against the Stuttering Monster. The butterfly seems to have won, but how? An insect too delicate to catch. Maybe the monster lumbered around inside of me and simply wore itself out against a much wiser opponent.'

The butterfly metaphor captures the shift in Aubrey's attitude beautifully, portraying hope. The monster is big, clumsy and exhausting while the butterfly is small, wise and resilient. Aubrey defeats the monster not in a single dramatic moment, but by letting the butterfly outlast it, the power dynamic changing into something more positive. 

The story doesn't offer a magical cure but instead shows Aubrey's journey toward acceptance and pride. The stammer is still there, but it no longer defines or controls Aubrey in the same way. Instead, he stands alongside it, constantly working to keep that balance.

It also addresses coping strategies like whispering, word substitution and breathing exercises, showing that stammering doesn't just vanish but can be approached with resilience. Moments like when a teacher patiently waits for Aubrey to finish speaking or his final stage performance — stammering but standing tall —  feel deeply real. 

Creative arts

I found the book raw, honest and deeply moving. Aubrey's journey through drama and performance was especially powerful, showing how creative spaces can offer inclusivity, structure, community and new ways to express oneself when speech feels scary. There's something about drama that creates space for honesty and growth, and I think this book captured that beautifully. Performing provides a turning point for Aubrey; not just in how others see him, but in how he sees himself. It didn't just give him a platform, it helped him have difficult conversations with himself and others. It pushed him to face fears, connect with others and finally be seen as he is. That kind of transformation is so valuable, especially for young people navigating complex emotions and social pressures. 

Mention of how music provided 'natural pauses' for Aubrey to speak, stood out too. It's such a subtle but important observation about how different modes of communication can offer safety. 

I think children who stammer will absolutely relate to Aubrey, not just in terms of speech but in the emotional weight that comes with it. 

The book's honest depiction of difficult moments, like teachers ignoring his silence or classmates speaking for him, made me reflect on how many kids might fall through the cracks in real schools. It validated feelings I already had about stammering and adolescence, showing growth as a process with ups and downs rather than a neat happy ending. 

It touches on important gaps in school support systems too. When Aubrey goes to Mrs Iniesta for help, he doesn't even know what a 'Special Educational Needs Coordinator' means. It's such a small detail but it says so much about how children don't always know what help is available.

I think children who stammer will absolutely relate to Aubrey, not just in terms of speech but in the emotional weight that comes with it. The book reads almost like a journal, and I imagine some young readers will feel seen in a way they maybe haven't before.

The story also sets the stammer in the broader context of adolescence: the anxiety of fitting in, friendship struggles, romantic feelings and navigating school life, making it more widely relatable. The transition from primary to high school is such a pivotal time for any child, especially so if they stammer. 

I think parents might reflect on how they talk to or about their child's stammer. Aubrey's mum and dad give a lot of insight; from saying the wrong things like “Snap out of it,” to later becoming more supportive. And for teachers or anyone supporting someone who stammers, this book is like a quiet guide on what not to do, and how powerful it can be just to wait, to listen, and to believe in someone, even when they're not ready to speak.

Stuttering Monster by John Blosse and published by Haven of Hope Publishing, is out now to buy on paperback.

Read more book reviews. Also, see our list of Books For Children Who Stammer.

Thank you to Srishti for reviewing this book for STAMMA. If you'd like to join our volunteer review team, fill out the form on our Volunteering With Us page.