Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Pages: 281

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Real Life

Notes for parents: Some coarse language, violence and other mature scenes

The Back Cover

Steve Harmon’s black. He’s in jail, maybe forever. He’s on trial for murder. And he’s sixteen years old.

FADE IN: INTERIOR: Early morning in CALL BLOCK D, MANHATTAN DETENTION CENTER.

STEVE (Voice-Over)

Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie. Maybe I can make my own movie. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I’ll call it what the lady prosecutor called me…MONSTER.

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

The story follows teenager Steve Harmon. He’s accused of being part of a robbery where a man was killed so he’s charged with felony murder. As he goes through the stressful trial process, he writes his story like a movie script.

What’s good?

The unconventional script style and journal entries create a good pace and make this easy to read—important since a lot of the legalese and courtroom routines are fairly dry. It’s sad and poignant to witness this young man as he realizes the consequences of what he seems to think are petty actions. It’s also unsettling to watch the stream of neighborhood criminals testify nonchalantly about a crime that took a man’s life. The story effectively hammers home the importance of the choices we make and how they affect our own lives as well as the lives of others.

Best part: The script-style seems to reinforce Steve’s efforts to distance himself from the crime.

What’s not so good?

I felt no sympathy for Steve. I hated the cold and uncaring lawyers. I was disheartened by the justice system that favored theatrics over truth. The police seemed lazy. There is clearly no honor among thieves since they all turned on each other. Did I miss the point? Should I be relieved or angered by the outcome?

Worst part: A high risk robbery for a small reward with grave consequences…followed by fried chicken.

Recommendations þþþoo

This book is a great choice for reluctant readers and people who like unconventional styles. For everyone else…I don’t know. It was interesting and I’m glad I read it. I love the script style. But the premise, the plot, and the characters are not enjoyable and, more importantly, the story did not come to a rewarding end for me. Recommended, but with reservations.

Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. New York: HarperTempest, 1999.