Monster by Walter Dean Meyers

Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc, 1999. 281p.

ISBN: 978-0-06-440731-1. National Book Award Finalist.

Through reading Walter Dean Myer’s 1999 novel, Monster, one may discover a variety of intriguing themes that, while intense, are relatable and appealing to adolescents in or outside of the classroom setting. Although the length of the 281-page-text may initially appear overwhelming, this novel is a very quick read due to its shifts between reading as a screen-play of events and diary through which readers can understand the male protagonist. While the general readability is appropriate for students in 6^th grade and above, there is content that may be difficult for some students to read, such as references to gang and prison violence and rape, which would make this wonderful novel generally more appropriate for 7^th and 8^th grade students. 

Myer’s novel tells the shocking story of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old African American high school student and hopeful future screen play writer from Harlem who is on trial for the murder of a drug store owner. While Steve is only suspected of serving as a lookout for the men who robbed and murder the drug store owner, he too is potentially facing a life sentence in prison. Since Steve is passionate about movies, he decides to write a screen play about his experiences in juvenile detention and through his murder trial, which spans the majority of the novel. The novel's format of switching between his imaginary screen play and diary entries reveals a major theme of Steve’s introspection and desire to identify himself to discover if he truly is a monster for his alleged crime. Overall, the novel weaves together the importance of discovering and retaining one’s own humanity despite being surrounded by larger societal issues, such as assumed guilt for African American male youth, and peer pressure that young people in Harlem feel to join gangs and involve themselves in troublesome circles.