Monster

Reason Book Chosen

I chose this book because it won over ten distinguished awards, and, in 2000 was chosen by ALA as a “Best book for young adults”. It was also a National Book Award Finalist in 1999, and was a Booklist Editor’s choice. Additionally, Myers is a well known young adult author, having written 30 books and having won the Corretta Scott Award.

Author: Walter Dean Myeres

Publisher: Amistad

ISBN: 0064407314

Copyright Date: 1999

Genre

Urban Fiction

About the Author

Walter Dean Myers is an African American author whom has written over thirty books, including fiction and non-fiction. He has won many awards including the Coretta Scott Award, The Newberry Honor, The National Book Award, The Michael L. Prince award, and ALA's Margaret A. Edwards Award for "lifetime contribution to young adult literature". Many of his books are set in Harlem and are about street life.

Plot Summary

The novel starts with Steve Harmon, a sixteen year old African American teen, in his jail cell at a juvenile detention center. He, along with a few others, is on trial for the murder of a convenience store clerk, although it seems like he might be more of an accomplice, than the one who actually pulled the trigger. His experiences in jail and on trial prompt him to write a film script, detailing the trial and sequences of events leading up to it.  Is Steve guilty? The answer is not right there, not black and white at all. A variety of theories are presented, a host of witnesses testify, including the accused. Steve’s journal gives some insight and access into that day, and Steve’s thoughts about it. Ultimately, though, the reader must decide for him or herself if Steve is guilty.

Critical Analysis

The reader never knows for sure if Steve did or did not commit this crime. His journals are vague, and he even says at one point that he can not write everything in there because other people at the jail or in the court system might get a hold of it and read it. Somehow not ever knowing whether or not Steve actually was involved,  This works to  draw the reader more into the story and more into Steve’s character, feeling similar emotions that Steve is feeling, such as frustration and unease. In some instances it also allows the reader to see him objectively, or the way that the jury might. Lastly, it allows the reader to empathize with him, regardless of whether he is guilty of not.

Steven’s relationship with his defender, with his family, with the courtroom, and with himself are all dynamic and interesting.

The journal entries are a nice juxtaposition to the trial because they are Steve’s voice and are more casual or familiar. However, the text looks like some kind of generic “handwritten” computer font, and this took away some of its authenticity.

The courtroom jargon is simple, simple enough for a teen to understand but for an adult to not get bored. The case is also an interesting one, and the plot moves quickly.

One element of the plot that was confusing was Steve’s actual role in the trial. It seemed like he should have been charged as an accomplice, not as a murder.

This novel gives a good snapshot, birds eye view to teens about how the judicial system works, and allows for the probing of some good moral questions.

Themes/Issues/Tags

Prison, justice, race relations, judicial system, freedom, loyalty, politics, New York  

Controversial Subject Matter

Politics of judicial system

Teenage violence/murder

Subjecting teens to the softer side of a potential murder. The idea that it is ok to have empathy for bad people

Defense: We never know if Steven actually committed the murder or not

Book Talking Ideas

Visualization- What does a monster look like?

Prop- Show pictures in book (there are some pictures of Steven) and ask teens if they think Steven is a monster? Does he look guilty?

Role play- Judge, Jury member, accused (also many other character possibilities)

Format- Read/create book talk in screenplay format

Curriculum Ties

 Judicial System

Reading Level

 13+

Interest Level

 13-17