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Monster | 
| Author: Walter Dean Myers
Publisher: Amistad
Category: Book
List Price: $8.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  673 reviews
Sales Rank: 2371
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 281
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4.9 x 0.9
ISBN: 0064407314
EAN: 9780064407311
ASIN: 0064407314
Publication Date: May 1, 2001
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Amazon.com
"Monster" is what the prosecutor called 16-year-old Steve Harmon for his supposed role in the fatal shooting of a convenience-store owner. But was Steve really the lookout who gave the "all clear" to the murderer, or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? In this innovative novel by Walter Dean Myers, the reader becomes both juror and witness during the trial of Steve's life. To calm his nerves as he sits in the courtroom, aspiring filmmaker Steve chronicles the proceedings in movie script format. Interspersed throughout his screenplay are journal writings that provide insight into Steve's life before the murder and his feelings about being held in prison during the trial. "They take away your shoelaces and your belt so you can't kill yourself no matter how bad it is. I guess making you live is part of the punishment." Myers, known for the inner-city classic Motown and Didi (first published in 1984), proves with Monster that he has kept up with both the struggles and the lingo of today's teens. Steve is an adolescent caught up in the violent circumstances of an adult world--a situation most teens can relate to on some level. Readers will no doubt be attracted to the novel's handwriting-style typeface, emphasis on dialogue, and fast-paced courtroom action. By weaving together Steve's journal entries and his script, Myers has given the first-person voice a new twist and added yet another worthy volume to his already admirable body of work. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert
Product Description
FADE IN: INTERIOR: Early morning in CELL 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 668 more reviews...
 The Most Realistic Story May 21, 2008
"Monster the story of my miserable life." "This film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me. MONSTER"
Monster is about a teenage boy named Steve Harmon the age of 16 who is in jail and on trial because was a part of a robbery as a look out, along with his "friends" Bobo and King. Throughout this whole book it takes place in the courtroom except for at night when Steve is writing in his journal. The robbery took place on December 22 at around 4 or 5. Two of Steve's friends Richard Evans (known as "Bobo" on the streets) and James King were the robbers in the store. As the story claims to be in court is, that while they were trying to rob the store the owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt, pulled out a gun. As King struggles with the owner, a shot is fired.
In my opinion, I think that Walter Dean Myers has a very unique type of writing in this book. He writes the whole book in dialogue. Also, during some parts of the book he writes it in Steve's perspective of what happened during the crime scene. Last but not least, it also has the perspective of other characters and what they had done to lead up to the crime. Finally, he also shows Steve's thoughts at the end of every court day by writing it in Steve's journal.
 Monster May 15, 2008
Synopsis
The novel begins with the main character, Steve, explaining in a journal type format, that the best time to cry is during the nighttime. Steve is in jail awaiting the outcome of his trial after being arrested for felony murder. He was allegedly involved in the murder of a local grocery store clerk. As the book progresses, it shifts between journal entries and a movie script format. As the courtroom drama unfolds other characters are introduced through the eyes of Steven and the lens of a camera.
Evaluation
The title of this book, takes its name from the word that the prosecutor calls Steve in the courtroom. Throughout the novel, the author explores the notion of identity and perception, and how others inform how one views him or herself. Steve, the main character of the book, views himself as a monster, because that is how both prosecutor and defense attorney view him. In the book, Steve is more like a character in a film, because the people he interacts with perceive him as a one-dimensional stereotype verses a complex human being. Myers uses the narrative style of the book to demonstrate this theme, as the journal entries are punctuated by dialogue and movie script formatting. While others view Steve as one-dimensional, Myers portrays all the complexities of a true character as Steve goes back and forth between acceptance and guilt. The realistic and harsh tone of the dialogue allows the reader to truly empathize with the main character in the book. The novel also raises essential questions relating to human nature, the role of the community and one's environment, and the failure of the criminal justice system. Monster was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award, the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in young adult fiction, and was a finalist for the National Book award
Using Monster in the Classroom May 14, 2008
Reading Monster out loud in class helped my students practice their fluency and inflections on a daily basis. Furthermore, the issues that Steve Harmon faces in the book help to start meaningful discussions in class. Going over definitions of exactly what a "sidebar" and "felony" are in addition to other vocabulary words helped to widen students' knowledge base as well. The book also exposes students to question what their beliefs and morals are and what they would do if faced with similar dilemmas. Great engaging read!
Calling all Middle School Students May 9, 2008
Raise your hand if you are in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and are feeling as though life is coming at you too fast. You are not alone. Take a minute to reflect on your current situation: friends, family, school, freedom. Now think about what life would be like if you were stuck behind the bars of a maximum security prison, waiting to hear whether or not you will spend the rest of your life in the same location. Such is the case for Steve Harmon. "Monster" is a fictional novel that tracks the life of 16 year old Steve Harmon who is accused of aiding in a robbery that turned fatal. Steve was allegedly serving as a look out for other members in a gang while they attempted to rob a local convenience store. When the robbery goes awry, Steve finds himself facing the potential of life in prison. The story is told through a unique lens (literally) as Steve, an aspiring filmmaker, writes the story using in movie script format. This novel approach in writing is sure to catch the attention of middle school students sick of the same novel format. Steve uses the script format as he reflects on the situation that got him where he is now, as well as the challenges he faces in prison (which interestingly are not too far removed from what students his age face in the real world, perhaps to a lesser degree though).
Much of the novel is also focused on the sequence of events that unfold in the courtroom itself. As a teacher, I found this to be a great link for students who are passionate about law (or even T.V. shows such as Law and Order or C.S.I), criminal justice, or simply life in a courtroom. As the novel continues Myers (the author) does a great job of helping the reader empathize with Steve's situation, though the question still remains, "was Steve just in the wrong place at the wrong time?" or "is there more to the story than the reader is exposed to?". All of Steve's stories and court proceedings culminate into the conclusion of the book when the reader is given the final verdict for Steve Harmon.
Even though I am older than Myers probable targeted audience, "Monster" was still an enjoyable read for me. As I became more attached to Steve, I found the novel harder and harder to put down. I think that "Monster" is a great book for use with middle school students as Steve is a figure that many growing up at that age can relate to. In order to keep students invested in reading, we must provide them with literature that affects them personally. That being said, I do think that there are parts of this book that will require "life-lesson" teaching. Some of Steve's encounters in the prison may be too mature for some students and the topic of gang violence can be a difficult one to approach in the classroom. That being said, I still believe that "Monster" is a wonderful book that has a lot to offer!
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers is a fictional novel 281 pages in length. It was published by Amistad on May 8th, 2001. The Flesh Kincaid Reading Level of "Monster" is at 7.8.
 Tyler's book review May 1, 2008
Monster by Walter Dean Myers, is about a kid named Steve who is 16 years old, he is black, and lives in New York. Steve is a boy who goes to jail, because he robbed a store. Almost the whole book is about him in the court room.
This book is definitely a book worth reading, because it is written very well. It's worth reading but it's very hard to understand because it is written in a movie form. This book would be great for 12-13 year old, because the way its written is hard to understand but it would be easy enough for 12 and 13 year olds to understand. There for this book was very interesting and a good book.
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