Reading BLOG by Narda Lugo: Monster

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper.

Summary: Monster is written in the form of a screenplay which follows the main character Steve Harmon through his court trial. Steve at age 16 has been accused of a being participant in a robbery. He tells his tribulations while being in jail through his journal entries. He describes the details of how he feels and what he should of done differently thru his entries. The story truly unfolds when he describes his dreams of making his awful experience into a movie. Steve at the end is found not guilty and runs free.

Strengths: This book covers the genre criteria for drama because the screenplay could definitely be played out. It also covers some contemporary realistic fiction when it allows readers to make connections with the situations Steve is encountering. At the end of the story readers are left with not knowing what will happen to Steve. Readers could only envision Steve’s future and how he will tackle society as a “Monster.” This book would most benefit grades 9-12.

Teaching Resources:

This book can serve as an example or as a teaching tool to teach what could happen when making bad choices and the possible results/consequences.

This book can also be a teaching tool for dealing with: hopelessness, alienation, and the disappointment of loved ones.

This book can be an excellent play to perform like a Readers Theater. Students and teachers could compare and contrast the book versus the performance.
Author Walter Dean Myers Website