Monster

Rating:
Summary: Life Quest
Review: MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers is a contemporary fiction book written in a movie script format. The story takes place in New York City, a setting that makes the events very believable. The script format, in which a murder trial is the main focus, is very appropriate because it allows the reader to be transferred from one scene to another at a fast pace without a lot of extra narrative.
The storyline of the book is one that is seen on television shows weekly. A black teenage boy is in jail awaiting the out- come of a murder trial in which he and another man are accused of robbery and murder. Steve Harmon, the teenager, is allegedly the person who checked out a drugstore before two other men entered, robbed and killed the owner. One man has turned state's evidence for a plea bargain. The other man, who pulled the trigger of the gun, and Harmon are being tried for murder.
Even though the trial is deeply woven into the plot, the story is not really about the quilt or innocence of a young black teenager. It is about the mental make-up of one. Steve Harmon is on a quest to find his real inner self. For this reason, teenagers will find this an interesting book to read.
There are really no surprises as the story progresses. The only thing one wonders about is whether Harmon is going to be found guilty or innocent. The reader knows it has to be one or the other, so the reading is pretty mundane for most of the story. However, the author packs a surprise punch at the end of the story, which makes the book worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Oh what a disapointment. I had heard great things about this book from my peers and colleagues(who are into youth fiction)so I was expecting great things. I must say that I was less than impressed. I expect a Myers book to be more creative. I found the story line to be predictable with little excitement or desire to continue reading. While the characters had some elaboration, I felt that the story, as a whole, was lifeless. The only reason I finished the book was because it was an assignment for a Graduate class. Otherwise, I would have never finsihed the book, nor found out the verdict, which again, was predictable. I just expected more...

Rating:
Summary: Great Read for High School Students
Review: As a high school teacher, I am always looking for a good book to refer to my male students. This will be a novel I will definitley recommend and I believe all high school students would enjoy. However, Monster is written in a different format; it is written as a movie script. Some readers may have difficulites with this style and many of the abbreviations. It might be helpful to do a vocabulary lesson on movie script terminology for clearer understanding.

This is a haunting story of the labels that are placed on people. Because of those labels, your life can take a turn down roads you never expected. Steve Harmon is a sixteen year old who finds himself battling an unwanted label placed on him because he is on trial for murder. Faced with not knowing the verdict, Steve does a lot of soul-searching to figure out who he really is versus the label attached to him.

This is a fast paced book which will leave you guessing what will happen. Not only is it a good read but it will cause you to reflect on the importance of the people you are acquainted with and to "think about all the tomorrows in your life."

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Monster is a novel about a boy named Steve Harmon, in the beginning of the story you will see that Steve agrees to scope out a drugstore for a cat named King and another named Bobo Evans. Later us readers find out that King shot the man who was working at the drugstore. Steve goes on trail for Felony murder that he didn’t commit. In the book we get a look at the trial most of the time, we also get a look at Steve’s life before the murder, and a couple of glimpse’s of what is going on in the prison. Monster is truly a great read.

Monster is the fourth Myers book that I have read to this day. In the book Myers does a brilliant job of describing the characters and the situation of the novel. It is definitely one of the best suspense stories that I have ever read. I feel that Monster is a great read for teens and adults, possibly one of Walter Dean Myers best.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Court Book Ever
Review: The book starts out with Steven Harmon lying on the cot in his jail cell. This book is written like a story line. It has a heading, which says who is talking and then it shows the dialogue underneath it. Steven truly believes that he is innocent but he is still tried in court. He knows the people that participated in the robbery of the drug store that ended up the death of Mr. Nesbit the owner of the store. He convinces himself that he was just in the store to buy some mints. In the trial he is tried with James King, Osvaldo Cruz, and Bobo Evans to see find out if he is guilty or innocent. Steven Harmon?s attorney is named Kathy O?Brien who is doubtful. At the trial each of the 4 teenagers where called to the stand to tell their version of the story. In the jail cell Steven keep writing MONSTER over and over again in his notebook. In his trial his parents attend in and our very supporting of their young son on trial. At the end of the book the verdict for Steven Harmon turns out to be???
This is one of the best Myers books written. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars

Rating:
Summary: One of the only books I give a 5 to!
Review: I was shocked when I bought this book at the title. For some reason, this book isn't about a literal "monster" that scares people, it's about a movie. What I mean by that is, this kid (Steve Harmon) has been a look-out for a crime that took place in a store, killing the stores owner. Steve finds himself facing court, and jailtime, so he decides he'll make a movie out of it. He uses his notebook to draw a script (exactly, and percisely of what happened) The story un-ravels with the touching and compelling story about a 16 year old boys court story.

This book is so creative, and it's a really quick read! I've read a lot of books, but none of them are similar to this one.. I give it a 5 for its constant "can't put down" read.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: I read the book Monster. It''s about a 14 year old kid named Steve Harmon who is accused of attempted robbery. What really was supposed to happen was that Steve was to give the OK sign to Osvaldo Cruz and James King, and they were to go into the store and rob the owner. What they didn't know was that the owner, Mr. Nesbitt, had a shotgun to defend him and his store. James went for the gun to take it away from him and the gun went off and killed the Mr. Nesbitt. So now Steve Harmon, Osvaldo Cruz, and James King are in court to find if they're guilty or not. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens to them. I didn't really like the book because it was written like a movie script. I recommend this book to 9th graders and up because the author writes about how this kids life is turned around forever.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: I liked the book a lot. I like it so much that I want it to be a Monster II. I gave this book 4 stars because it was good but I didn't like the ending.

Rating:
Summary: The Paradox of Monstar
Review: "Well, whatever you do, however terrible, however hurtful, it all makes sense doesn't it in your head. You never meet anybody who thinks they're a bad person."(From "The Talented Mr. Ripley)
This quote came to my mind when reading the chilling tale Monster by Walter Dean Myers about a boy facing his own demons as he analyzes his self worth. Although the court deems the main character, Steve Harmon, innocent, the reader is left with some uncertainty. This is definitely addressed at the end of the book by Kathy O?Brien, Steve?s attorney, when she responds coldly to the verdict.
Throughout the book, evidence is presented, as if the reader is the jury. What the reader sees though are Steve's thoughts along with flashbacks that both support and contradict his innocence because it delves deeper into his character.
The book establishes the paradox from the first page. "The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help."(Myers. p1)
Exposing Steve's feelings create a great deal of empathy towards him. The contradiction to this is at the bottom of the page, which can be interpreted as his admission to guilt. "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."(Myers. p1)
This continues throughout the whole book. The flashback of Steve at twelve-years-old shows a side to his character that changes the reader's opinion of him. He doesn't seem as virtuous a character.
Flashback of 12-year-old Steve walking
in a neighborhood park with his friend
Tony?Steve picks up a rock and we see
it sail past and hit a YOUNG WOMAN.
The TOUGH GUY she is walking with turns
and sees the two young boys. The
TOUGH GUY approaches and asks, "Hey who
threw that rock" Steve yells, "Tony!
Run!" The TOUCH GUY punches Tony.
The YOUNG WOMAN pulls him off and they
walk away. Tony says to Steve, "I didn?t
throw that rock, you did." Steve
says, "I didn?t say you threw it, I just
said Run." (Myers. pp41-43)
The contrast to this flashback is Steve sitting with his little brother Jerry. This shows a much more admirable person and creates a stronger feeling of compassion towards his situation. The reader can see how much Jerry admires Steve and how Steve seems to handle this situation well.
Whatever evidence was presented throughout the book pertaining to Steve's guilt, I still had an overwhelming desire for him to be found innocent. He is a character with a great deal of depth and the reader wants him to succeed.

Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Monster ia a very interesting book. I think that Steve is very smart, but he is caught up in somethign it's hard to get out of. He showed how it is when he was in prison. I think that Steve is scared and afraid of being in prison. At first I thought Steve was going to prison at the beginning of the book, until I read and I figured out he did'nt do it. He's stuggling through this trial, because he thinks that he is going to jail for a long time.