Monster

Myers, W.D. (1999).  Monster.  NY: Harper.

Steve Harmon is a sixteen year old African-American teenager who is on trial for partaking in robbery and murder.  He starts to write a movie script with the details of his trial.  During the book, he also includes journal entries of his life.   Two other men named Richards “Bobo” Evans and James King went into a drugstore in Harlem to rob it.  The robbery went wrong and Mr. Nesbitt the owner pulled out a gun and ended up getting shot.  Steve Harmon faces 25 years to life or even the death penalty for his supposed involvement in the robbery and murder.   Steve Harmon is found not guilty of murder.  When the verdict  is read, he goes to hug his lawyer, but she turns away.  He questions himself if he is really a good person or a “monster.”  I think this book is for high school students and adults.  It has racism, sexual references, and violence that is inappropriate for young readers.  The story is left with an open-ended question if Steve Harmon really is innocent or is he guilty.  As a teacher, I would have students give their opinion of his innocence or guilt and defend their answers.  There are various themes to this story.  One can be peer pressure.  Steve had to make choices when it came to prove himself around other guys.  Another theme is the justice system and race.   Since Steve is African-American, jurors are more likely to think he is guilty.   It reveals how the legal system works to determine someone’s innocence or guilt.   This book was written in the main characters point of view.  He wrote his trial in a screenplay, as well as, describing his life in prison. He uses bold face words to specify the main points he want to convey.  He uses the position of the camera in the screenplay too change the points of view of the other characters in the story.   Dialogue is used to show the other characters remarks.  This also showcases his struggles before, during, and after the trial.