MONSTER

Myers, W. (1999). Monster. New York; NY: HarperCollins.

They say the best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone else is being beat up and screaming for help because if they hear you sniffle, it’ll be your turn next.

Sixteen year old Steve Harmon is sitting in a jail cell accused of a robbery gone bad and is feeling scared. The thing is he is facing 25 years. He decided to write his jail experience as a screenplay on a notebook to deal with it and title it Monster, the Story of My Miserable Life. All Steve thinks about is appeals, the only way for him to deal with this reality is to think of it as a movie. His mother and father don’t understand what makes their child hang out with troublemakers. The trial verdict sends the males involved away to serve for their crime; James King is said to have struggled with store owner with a gun was sentenced for 25 years, fourteen year old Osvaldo Cruz, affiliated with the gang “Los Diablos” was sent to a reformatory, Richard Bobo Evans who stole the money from register and packs of cigarettes was already in jail for other crimes, and Steve was announced not guilty. But the face O’Brien, his lawyer, makes after hearing she won keeps him wondering even after months after the trial if he really is a monster. He films himself often, from different angles trying to find his true image.

This is such a great fiction book! I really enjoyed the different fonts the author uses the story shifts from Steve being in film class to him being in the courtroom, very relatable, probably that’s the way a teenager would feel if they were in the same situation. The pain and remorse the Steve is feeling makes you think of your own student’s. I’d hate to think that there’s people that still stereotype others just by the color of their skin, as we see O’Brien tell Steve that she needs to work harder to prove him innocent because “for a young black man on trial, it's more like guilty until proven innocent.” The theme of the story is pressure to fit in take you through regrettable decisions. As in the case with Steve, they made fun of him for not being tough, and makes the decision to be the “lookout” for some guys as they rob a store. Next thing he knows is that they’re taking him in for murder. Very hard situation to be in and that a lot of teenagers find themselves in, they have to live with reality. Perhaps what he went through was a wakeup call, to get his life straighten up and be a good role model for his little brother.  This novel is on the required list for YA reads.

• Check out the book by Walter Dean Myers, Monster - Trailer by Steppenwolf Theatre Company

•   Walter Dean Myers Interview about "Monster" here he talks about the book and the challenges kids face.  Where they choose the easy route, in order to fit in. 

• These "Monster" Activities can help your students make connections between life and literature through combined reading, writing, and discussions.

• Also by Walter Dean Myers is “Slam!” Seventeen-year-old Greg "Slam" Harris knows he can be one of the lucky ones that can do it in the basketball court. He is having trouble with his grades and doesn’t take it very well when his teachers bring up their concerns for his future.