Monster by Walter Dean Myers 

Book Summary

     Monster tells the story of sixteen year old Steve Harmon; who is about to go on trial for felony murder.  The story is told through Steve’s point of view.  We are able to see the different struggles that Steve s facing in regards to the trial.  If he is found guilty; he could either face twenty years in prison or even the death penalty.  The story is told in two different ways; as a journal that Steve keeps in his notebook and then as if it were a screenplay for potential movie that Steve would want to make happen.

     The story begins with the opening remarks from the state prosecutor, and the defense attorneys.  The fact is that only two of the four accused of the murder are on trial as two others have entered in to a plea bargain.  Throughout the trial, Steve’s mind wanders into flashbacks as to what had occurred prior to the murder and afterwards as well.    

Commentary on Strengths

     Monster is a young adult realistic fiction novel written by Walter Dean Myers.  The book is written in a first person point of view.  Monster deals with issues and themes of race, peer pressure, crime and the relationships between a father and his son.  It also deals with the relationship of African Americans with the law and how they are represented. The book was the 2000 Michael L. Printz Award winner as well as the 2000 Coretta Scott King Award Honor book.  

Readers also enjoyed Tyrell by Coe Booth; A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson; Mexican White Boy by Matt De La Pena; Postcards from No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers; and Kaesha's House by Helen Frost

Additional books written by the author are Fallen Angel; Slam!; Sunrise Over Fallujah; Shooter; and Hoops. 

Teachers can find ideas for using this book in their lesson plans at https://www.varsitytutors.com/englishteacher/monster-lesson-plans

Myers, W. D., & Myers, C. (1999). Monster. New York, NY: HarperCollins .

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