Realistic Fiction Book Review
Monster
By: Walter Dean Myers
Illustrated By: Christopher Myers
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Myers, Walter Dean. 1999. Monster. Ill. by Christopher Myers. ISBN 0060280786
PLOT SUMMARY
A sixteen year old, young black male, Steve Harmon sits in his jail cell charged with felony murder. Steve thought he knew who he was, “When I look into the small rectangle, I see a face looking back at me but I don’t recognize it. It doesn’t look like me; I couldn’t have changed that much in a few months. I wonder if I will look like myself when the trail is over.” To escape the nightmares of the jailhouse and unfamiliarity of the legal world Steve uses his talent as a film maker and personal journals to help him cope with reality. Is Steve an innocent victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time? Did he get caught in the pressure of the neighborhood and serve as a “lookout” or worse is he being framed by neighborhood thugs? This novel takes the reader inside all the scenarios for you to decide if Steve really is the “Monster” the prosecutor calls him.
A sixteen year old, young black male, Steve Harmon sits in his jail cell charged with felony murder. Steve thought he knew who he was, “When I look into the small rectangle, I see a face looking back at me but I don’t recognize it. It doesn’t look like me; I couldn’t have changed that much in a few months. I wonder if I will look like myself when the trail is over.” To escape the nightmares of the jailhouse and unfamiliarity of the legal world Steve uses his talent as a film maker and personal journals to help him cope with reality. Is Steve an innocent victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time? Did he get caught in the pressure of the neighborhood and serve as a “lookout” or worse is he being framed by neighborhood thugs? This novel takes the reader inside all the scenarios for you to decide if Steve really is the “Monster” the prosecutor calls him.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Walter Dean Myers’ cleverly unfolds the life of Steve Harmon and captivates readers with a fresh style that will instantly grab his young adult audience. He accomplishes this fresh style by narrating through his protagonist using a mixed screenplay/journal format. Myers’ distinguishes the different storytelling formats by using both typewriter font and hand scripting font. This helps make the internal struggle of the character all the more real to the readers. “I couldn’t sleep most of the night after the dream. The dream took place in the courtroom. I was trying to ask questions and nobody could hear me. I was shouting and shouting but everyone went about their business as if I wasn’t there. I hope I didn’t shout out in my sleep.” The setting of this book Walter Myers’ is realistic portraying the struggle of inner city African-American youth trying to make it out all the while navigating the world’s prejudices but also the hope for justice.
Christopher Myers, son of Walter Dean Myers does an excellent job specifically placing black and white photos that have been cropped and digitally modified. This artistic approach brings the reader in to the personal side of Steve Harmon.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist- Booklist (Vol. 95, No. 17 (May 1, 1999))
Gr. 9-12. Myers combines an innovative format, complex moral issues, and an intriguingly sympathetic but flawed protagonist in this cautionary tale of a 16-year-old on trial for felony murder.
Starred Review Horn Book- Myers adeptly allows each character to speak for him or herself, leaving readers to judge for themselves the truthfulness of the defendants, witnesses, lawyers, and, most compellingly, Steve himself.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist- Booklist (Vol. 95, No. 17 (May 1, 1999))
Gr. 9-12. Myers combines an innovative format, complex moral issues, and an intriguingly sympathetic but flawed protagonist in this cautionary tale of a 16-year-old on trial for felony murder.
Starred Review Horn Book- Myers adeptly allows each character to speak for him or herself, leaving readers to judge for themselves the truthfulness of the defendants, witnesses, lawyers, and, most compellingly, Steve himself.
CONNECTIONS
This novel presents itself to be a natural Readers Theater for older students.
Students can take on the role of a court room reporter and interview Steve Harmon after his acquittal.
This novel presents itself to be a natural Readers Theater for older students.
Students can take on the role of a court room reporter and interview Steve Harmon after his acquittal.
Other Books By Walter Dean Myers:
Myers, Walter Dean. Bad Boy: A Memoir. ISBN 9780060295240.
Myers, Walter Dean. The Greatest: Muhammad Ali. ISBN 9780590543422.
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