Monster

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Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. New York, HarperCollins (1999). Print. ISBN: 9780064407311. $7.99. 281 pages.

 

Awards:

Printz Award (2000)
Coretta Scott King Honor (Author, 2000)
South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee (2002-2003)
National Book Award finalist (Young People's Literature, 1999)
Edgar Award Nominee (Young Adult, 2000)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2000)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2000)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (1999)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2006)
Iowa Teen Award Nominee (2001-2002)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2000)
ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (2004)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2005)

Review:

Walter Dean Myers creates a unique perspective of a young boy in trouble in his book Monster.  Steve Harmon is a sixteen-year-old, African-American boy on trial for a felony murder that he did not commit. The story is told from Steve’s point of view through his writing of screenplay to share with the world.  Steve uses the screenplay to not only speak to his current stresses and fears as he sits in jail awaiting his sentencing, but also to tell his history and the events that led up to his current predicament.  Steve's lawyer does not believe he has much of a chance, and Steve's time in jail allows him an abundance of time to reflect on who he is and what he wants for his future.

Myers clever writing style provides readers with an intriguing and powerful look into the serious issues of peer pressure, racism and profiling.  I would recommend this book to any reader from 6th grade up through adulthood.  The novel is intended for a young adult audience and should be shelved within that section of a library.  Though the main character is male and African American, the story speaks to audiences of any race and gender, as racism and peer pressure affect everyone and the more awareness that surrounds the issues the better.

 

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