Monster is a really creatively written and
engaging novel about a boy on trial for a murder. What is so unique about the novel is that it
is written from the perspective of the boy, writing a movie script about what
is happening in his life (because, as he claims, his life many times in this
experience feels more like a movie than real life). He also interjects the book with small
journal entries, candidly talking about his emotions during the trial. It’s a
wonderful novel to help introduce movie-script writing and elements of writing
about the process of writing or thinking.
It has very easy to understand language, and could be definitely be
taught in middle school, or lower level high schoolers. The content is exciting and mature as well,
as the narrator takes you through not just serious court proceedings, but
issues of racism, poverty, and redemption.
I really liked
Monster because of how engaging and easy to read it was talking about critical
issues, but also because the style in which it is written opens up a lot of
opportunities for hands-on activities within the classroom: mock trials,
dramatization, discussions about film scripts, performance literature, discussions
about choice of genre—I could go on and on. Clearly, I would most definitely recommend
this book to future classrooms, either sitting on the shelf or teaching it to
the class!
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