Monster

Meyers, W. (1999). Monster. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

"Monster!" That is what 16 year old Steve Harmon is called by the prosecuting attorney in his case, but is he really a monster, or is it a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people? This young adult multicultural novel is one that will leave a lasting effect on teens! Walter Dean Meyers created this drama/crime fiction full of personal conflicts many teens face today, with examples of peer pressure, gang affiliation, crime, right from wrong, and so many other topics that students can relate to and learn valuable lessons from.  I found this book on the list suggested by Dr. Gibson, it sounded interesting, something that could really be connected to real life.  The novel has won many awards: Coretta Scott King Author Award, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, and ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (good to know for middle/high school teachers). 

Steve Harmon is a 16 year old African American inner city teen who gets involved with a group of other young men who plan to rob a drugstore.  It goes terribly wrong when the robbery turns into a murder, Steve didn't do the killing but he was on look-out!  The story is told mostly by Steve's viewpoint in the form of a screenplay and journal entries he has written.  At the beginning of the story, Steve tells us that prison is about being alone all the time, even though you aren't alone and of being scared all the time, in telling the reader this, he is foreshadowing the horrific events ands and emotional state that he is about to embark on.  The rising action is when Steve is first in jail and begins writing, he has actually written his journal entries while on trial for murder! What will the verdict be?!  The climax, is when Steve is found not-guilty which means he can go back to a normal life instead of his current life he had in prison.  Big Questions: Will he be able to return to a normal life?  Will he be the same boy? This is a good time to discuss consequences of peer pressure which seems to be a theme in this novel.  At the end, Steve is struggling with himself, is he a good person? Or is he a monster?

This novel would be good to try the text to self connections strategy using post-it notes.  It's an easy way to incorporate prior/background knowledge by having the students think about times in their life when they had to face peer pressure, when they had to make choices, or a time they made a poor choice and had a consequence.  The book seems mostly appropriate for middle grade and high school age students due to the content.