Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Title: Monster
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 6, 2009 (originally April 21, 1999)

Format: eBook
Price: $10.99
Page Count: 336
ISBN-13: 9780061975028

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)
Lexile: 670L
Interest Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)

Annotation: Steve Harmon documents, in movie script form, his experience in prison and on trial for being an accessory to murder.

Plot and Content Summary: Accused for being the lookout while someone murdered Mr. Nesbitt, the owner of a drugstore, 16-year-old Steve Harmon has been arrested and now sits on trial, awaiting his sentence. Others involved include Richard Evans, known as "Bobo," Osvaldo Cruz, and James King.

Evaluation: Monster was incredibly well-written, with a fast-moving plot and detailed look into the character of Steve Harmon. It highlights the terrors of being in prison, and the politics and plays of the criminal justice system. We are in Steve's mind for most of the story, so we know what he is thinking—but the interesting thing is that we do not know if he is actually guilty or not. This leaves everything open-ended, but perhaps that is what makes Monster so good. We are not given an omniscient look at the situation—only provided statements from the people involved. They could be lying or telling the truth, we have no idea. What we do know, however, is that some are able to say whatever they want because of a deal made beforehand. Readers are then the jurors of this case, figuring out what is true or not. But that is not the point of Monster. Looking into Steve's life, we see not a criminal, but one who has a family, a love for making movies, and a young boy who is scared. However, we must remember that Steve is writing this script and including pieces of his diary entries for us to read. He is controlling the narrative. So what do we believe now?

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: There are many things wrong with the criminal justice system, and Monster can hopefully shed light and cause readers to be empathetic to those who's lives are damaged because of it. It is easy to look at someone who has been accused as a criminal to assume they are guilty, but we do not know the truth of what actually happened.

Issues Present: Monster has been challenged for "explicit language" and "mature themes," as well as "racially-offensive language," "violence," and "drug use." Parents felt like it was inappropriate for young children to read—a response that is understandable, but should not be decided for all children and teens. Monster can be used to engage teens who are in Steve's situation and also bring awareness and exposure to these issues that teens will eventually encounter.

Book Talk Ideas: "Steve turns toward O'Brien ... Steve spreads his arms to hug O'Brien, but she stiffens and turns to pick up her papers from the table before them ..." (p. 276) "I want to know who I am ... When Miss O'Brien looked at me, after we had won the case, what did she see that caused her to turn away? What did she see?" (p. 281)

  • Why do you think Walter Dean Myers wrote Monster in this type of format?
  • Steve writes that this story is "told as it actually happened" (p. 9). Do you think this is true? Would it have been told the same way coming from another accused's perspective?
  • At the end of Monster, Steve questions why Miss O'Brien turned away from him and what she saw. Why do you think he asks this?
  • Do you think Steve is a monster?

Genre/Subgenres: Realistic fiction; African American fiction

Readalikes: Kindness for Weakness by Shawn Goodman, The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

References
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