Monster

Rating:
Summary: Innocent or Guilty?
Review: Steve Harmon was suppposed to be the lookout in the store robbery, but things didn't go as planned and now the store owner is dead and Steve Harmon finds himself on trial for murder. As things spin out of control quickly for 16 year old Harmon, he begins writing a screen play of the events he is the center of in an attempt to distance himself from reality and examine himself more deeply. Steve has always been a "good kid". Suddenly, one poor choice and the association with neighborhood thugs, and Harmon is no longer sure what kind of kid he is-neither is his family.
This thought provoking book by Walter-Dean Myers is riveting. Myers' use of font and text style to change between journal entries (Steve's feelings) and screen play (the actual events) is a masterful way to look into the heart and soul of Harmon. The reader is forced to examine peer pressure, the integrity of the company we keep, degrees of guilt, and the impact of our decisions. By the time the novel ends, the reader feels as if they have been through the whole trial with Harmon. I highly recommend this book for use in a high-school setting and feel it could spawn discussion on many important issues.

Rating:
Summary: Monster-yes or no
Review: "What did I do? What did I do? Anybody can walk into a drugstore and look around. Is that what I'm on trial for? I didn't do nothing! I didn't fight with Mr. Nesbitt. I didn't take any money from him." So says Steve Harmon, on trial for felony murder along with his "friend", James King. You learn about the evidence through a screenplay format which is refreshingly different and effective. The story moves quickly and is easily finished in a couple of hours. You won't want to put it down because you will have to know the ending and when you do, will you agree with the verdict? Young readers would really enjoy this because they could relate to the myriad of emotions that plagued Steven and it gives a realistic look into what goes on behind the scenes of a trial. I recommend this book highly.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Review of Monster
By Walter Dean Myers

I have just finished reading Monster by Walter Dean Myers. This book is definitely a must read for any young adult or adult for that matter. I picked it up and did not put it down until I finished the whole thing. This book tells the story of Steve Harmon, a sixteen year old on trial for murder. The format for this book is a screenplay. Although the screenplay format at first was hard to get used to, once you do get acclimated to the format the book really flows. I think the format actually helps the audience see Steve's attempt to separate himself from the reality of his actions. Throughout the book he is searching for his identity-he is struggling with the label of monster. Even though he wants to believe that he is a normal kid he is faced with the consequences of his actions.

I think that this book would be wonderful for young people to read because it shows them how just hanging around the wrong people can get you into trouble. It also shows them the reality of how fast your life can change based on bad decisions you make. I also believe that this book shows, without being too graphic, the bleakness and darkness surrounding a jail and to know that jail is not a place they want to be.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars. It is a quick, easy read that has a lot of lessons to teach us all about the consequences of our choices and the torment and guilt associated with labels. I encourage everyone who has the chance to read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Unique Way Of Approaching A Situation
Review: This is a uniquely written story about Steve Harmon, a young man on trial for murder. Written in the form of a film, with journal entries throughout, we are presented with the thoughts and emotions of this teen as he copes with his trial, prison, and in a sense, just trying to stay sane through it all. The style of the book may be difficult to grasp at first,but by using the cast list of characters in the beginning of the book, the reader should soon catch on. While the story does not lend itself to in-depth portrayals of all main characters, we are able to glimpse into the mind of Steve. He tells us what it's like to be on trial for murder.

Rating:
Summary: Steve Harmon portrayed in Monster
Review: Steve is a young boy who may or may not be involved in a robbery that took place. Even though Steve is found innocent, I find myself questioning his innocence. I was was left wondering if he did or didn't do the crime that he was charged of. Walter Dean Myers used reality along with flashbacks to portray Steve Harmon. The journal writing was used for Steve to reflect upon his emotions during the whole process. I think this book is wonderful for young adults to read. It shows how sometimes our lives take twist that we may or may not have control of. The depth of Steve's character and his interaction with his family particularly his father, shows how relationships can be difficult and awkward.

Rating:
Summary: Realistically written
Review: This book is literally one that you cannot put down. It is written in the real-world language of a 16 year-old that authenticates his being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. The movie script style in which Myers writes keeps you reading non-stop, like watching a movie wtih no commercials. The plot hits home probably for so many young teens who find themselves in situations and with people that they thought would/could not harm them, but indeed does. Meyers briefly involves the main character's family to show the reader how this one "mistake" or wrong decision has effected all who are close to him. This book will keep your heart pounding and aching to the end to see how innocence can be taken.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Monster is a cleverly written story about a 16-year-old African-American boy, Steve Harmon, who finds himself in the Manhattan Detention Center awaiting a trial for felony murder. He is accused of being the lookout for a robbery, which led to the death of the store's owner. The sights and the sounds of the trial, the detention center, and the other inmates, are almost more than Steve can take. Therefore, he tries to distance himself by writing down everything that takes place as if it were a movie and he was playing the leading role. As the prosecutor points to Steve in the courtroom, he begins to scribble on his paper what he heard over and over in his own head... monster, Monster, MONSTER! But the thought of being lead in handcuffs back to his cell haunts him even more. He imagines that he is being lead down a hallway between two guards to death row as the imaginary camera focuses on his terrified face. His feelings of fear and utter despair are constantly revealed to the reader in the form of this movie script. Is Steve guilty or innocent? This true-to-life story would certainly make any young adult think twice about the company he or she keeps and how being in the wrong place at the wrong time could change the rest of their life. Once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down. I highly recommend Monster.

Rating:
Summary: Monster-Walter Dean Myers
Review: Monster is a thought-provoking book appropriate for high school level and older. Steve, the sixteen-year-old main character, has been placed in a detention center in Manhattan. We read through the events and flashbacks to discover that because Steve has mistakenly looked up to and been involved with James King, a bad character in his neighborhood, he has been associated with a murder. His trial is described, as well as Steve's thoughts, as though it were a movie script. The book uses different types or fonts throughout with Steve's personal reflections appearing as if they were handwritten in his journal.
I overall like the style in which this book is written, though I am not a fan of court cases even on television. The fonts used were highly interesting and easy to read. Monster makes the reader think about exactly how involved was Steve in this murder. I wonder could a scenario such as this happen in reality? I think probably so. Steve is a character that one can easily empathize with. He is a teenager who is interested in his film class, is teased by others, wants to fit into the neighborhood, and seems to be in the wrong place possibly at the right time. The fact that this novel shows the conflict within Steve concerning his own identity and degree of guilt makes us examine our own motives in day to day life. This is a good book for young adults to read.

Rating:
Summary: Great YA Book
Review: This book, written in the style of a screenplay, is a compelling read, but not what I expected. The story is told from the point of view of the main character, a 17 year old African American male on trial for being an accessory to murder in a convenience store robbery. While in jail awaiting trial, he decides to write his story, in the form of a screenplay. The story progresses through the trial and its result, with flashbacks filling in blanks. Monster has little action, most scenes take place in the courtroom or a jail cell, but it is long on a young man's search for self-discovery. Probably particularly interesting for YA males, especially those who are beginning their own search for self.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: The first person point of view of this book was very effective. Walter Dean-Meyers presented this book in a very creative way. The story, as told from the view point of Steve, is told in a movie type dialogue, using movie directors terminology.
The plot development is gradual. The reader gathers more information as the trial continues, however, the author does a great job of swaying your thoughts on the outcome of the trial. The author also does a great job with the characterization of each character involved in the trial, as well as those in the jail setting. You feel as if you really know these characters.

The only problem I found with the book that kept it from getting 5 stars was the abbreviations Steve used such as CU for close-up or MS for Mug shot. I had trouble decoding these words at first which slowed me down as I was reading.

I really think this is a great book for young adults. This book deals with self-identity as well as the importance of chosing proper peer relationships. I think many young adults will be able to identify in one way or another with Steve.