Monster

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, W.D. (1999).  Monster. New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0064407314

Plot

Steve Harmon is an African American 16 year old who is on trial for murder. Was he part of the drug store robbery in which the proprietor was killed or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? It doesn’t seem to matter now. The district attorney is calling him a “Monster.” Is that what he is? Steve, a budding film maker, records his tense courtroom experiences and terror-filled jailhouse ones in screenplay format. Who is Steve really? Can anyone ever know what really happened?

Critical Evaluation

Monster is a riveting story which challenges readers to examine what they think about criminals, jails and the justice system. Steve is portrayed by the district attorney as a heartless fiend, a monster. After acquittal, his own lawyer wants to have nothing to do with him. Steve’s father wonders about a son who could associate with the people who got him in trouble. In the end, Steve does not even know who he is anymore. Is perception reality? Is he a monster? This story challenges the reader to examine preconceptions and come to their own conclusion.

Readers Annotation

This is a riveting courtroom drama told in screenplay format. This book will challenge your notions of justice and criminals. The protagonist, Steve Harmon, records his harrowing jail experience and trial as if he were in a movie, a mere spectator in the proceedings.

About the Author

Walter Dean Myers is a New York Times bestselling author and a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. He has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for his contribution to young adult literature. He was born in 1937 in West Virginia, but grew up with foster parents in Harlem. He was introduced to writing by a teacher. He writes about youth in urban settings. Of his writing he says: "I'm not interested in building ideal families in my books. I'm more attracted to reading about poorer people, and I'm more attracted to writing about them as well."

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalk Ideas: Are you tough? BAD? Tough enough to do the time for the crime? That’s what Steve Harmon thought until he was arrested for murder. This is his story from inside jail… and it’s not pretty.

Reading Level: 6+
Interest Level: 6+
Challenge Issues: Life inside jail. Steve feels threatened by other prisoners. I would defend this aspect of the book by pointing out that Steve's association with dangerous friends has placed him in this position and that this is an important lesson for young people.

This book is important for tweens put in the unfortunate position of having to share a play ground with drug dealers and gangs.