Genre: Dark Modern Realistic Fiction (violence, murder, incarceration)
Subjects: Young Adult fiction - violence, trials, self-perception, prejudice & racism, prisons, African Americans
Audience: Ages 16 & up
Steve Harmon is a sixteen year old African American aspiring film maker. He is currently in jail and being tried as an accomplice for robbery and murder. The other defendants are incriminating him as the lookout for a store robbery that ended with the murder of an innocent store clerk. He claims he is innocent but throughout the story, one is never sure if he is telling the truth. Steve's personal thoughts are written journal style in cursive while trial proceedings are written as a movie script. Through his journal writings, Steve tells the events that led to the trial and we see how truly scared he is. At the conclusion of the trial, Steve is found not guilty. Months after the trial he is still trying to find out who he really is and questioning - "Am I truly a monster?" leaving the reader to wonder if the verdict was a mistake. Myers has created a unique format by alternating the film format complete with stage directions and Steve's journal writing that show his struggle with his conscience and what he has done. This book will provide opportunities for discussions about humanity, morality, and how seemingly small choices can lead to bigger mistakes.
Awards
Coretta Scott King Honor 2000
Boston Globe-Horn Books Award 1999
Michael L. Printz Award 2000
National Book Award Finalist 1999
Teaching Resources
Author's Website
Walter Dean Myers Discusses Monster
Lesson Plans
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