From a Teacher/ School Librarian's perspective...
"Monster" was an outstanding book and should be read by any child that is heading in the wrong direction. Over the years, there were so many students I could have recommended this book to. This story is about a black teen and the inner city, but please do not feel this book could not help a child in the suburbs or Asian/Hispanic/White teens. The main focus of this book is to talk about the consequences any teen can face by associating themselves with the wrong people. So many teens want to be cool these days and fit in with the cool peer group. "Monster" is showing that being cool for a few moments could land you in jail for life, where you could be someone's girlfriend for the rest of your life. This book is an easy read and should not take your child or student long to read this book. The focus groups I recommend read this book are:
-Any teen heading down the wrong path
-Any teen on probation
-Any teen who has been getting into trouble at school
-Drama Club students
-Any teen wanting to fit in
-Any teen who you feel is picking the wrong people to associate with
-Film/ Media production Clubs

The Most Realistic Story
"Monster the story of my miserable life." "This film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me. MONSTER"

Monster is about a teenage boy named Steve Harmon the age of 16 who is in jail and on trial because was a part of a robbery as a look out, along with his "friends" Bobo and King. Throughout this whole book it takes place in the courtroom except for at night when Steve is writing in his journal. The robbery took place on December 22 at around 4 or 5. Two of Steve's friends Richard Evans (known as "Bobo" on the streets) and James King were the robbers in the store. As the story claims to be in court is, that while they were trying to rob the store the owner, Alguinaldo Nesbitt, pulled out a gun. As King struggles with the owner, a shot is fired.

In my opinion, I think that Walter Dean Myers has a very unique type of writing in this book. He writes the whole book in dialogue. Also, during some parts of the book he writes it in Steve's perspective of what happened during the crime scene. Last but not least, it also has the perspective of other characters and what they had done to lead up to the crime. Finally, he also shows Steve's thoughts at the end of every court day by writing it in Steve's journal.

Monster
Synopsis
The novel begins with the main character, Steve, explaining in a journal type format, that the best time to cry is during the nighttime. Steve is in jail awaiting the outcome of his trial after being arrested for felony murder. He was allegedly involved in the murder of a local grocery store clerk. As the book progresses, it shifts between journal entries and a movie script format. As the courtroom drama unfolds other characters are introduced through the eyes of Steven and the lens of a camera.
Evaluation
The title of this book, takes its name from the word that the prosecutor calls Steve in the courtroom. Throughout the novel, the author explores the notion of identity and perception, and how others inform how one views him or herself. Steve, the main character of the book, views himself as a monster, because that is how both prosecutor and defense attorney view him. In the book, Steve is more like a character in a film, because the people he interacts with perceive him as a one-dimensional stereotype verses a complex human being. Myers uses the narrative style of the book to demonstrate this theme, as the journal entries are punctuated by dialogue and movie script formatting. While others view Steve as one-dimensional, Myers portrays all the complexities of a true character as Steve goes back and forth between acceptance and guilt. The realistic and harsh tone of the dialogue allows the reader to truly empathize with the main character in the book. The novel also raises essential questions relating to human nature, the role of the community and one's environment, and the failure of the criminal justice system. Monster was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award, the Michael L. Printz award for excellence in young adult fiction, and was a finalist for the National Book award

Using Monster in the Classroom
Reading Monster out loud in class helped my students practice their fluency and inflections on a daily basis. Furthermore, the issues that Steve Harmon faces in the book help to start meaningful discussions in class. Going over definitions of exactly what a "sidebar" and "felony" are in addition to other vocabulary words helped to widen students' knowledge base as well. The book also exposes students to question what their beliefs and morals are and what they would do if faced with similar dilemmas. Great engaging read!

Calling all Middle School Students
Raise your hand if you are in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and are feeling as though life is coming at you too fast. You are not alone. Take a minute to reflect on your current situation: friends, family, school, freedom. Now think about what life would be like if you were stuck behind the bars of a maximum security prison, waiting to hear whether or not you will spend the rest of your life in the same location. Such is the case for Steve Harmon. "Monster" is a fictional novel that tracks the life of 16 year old Steve Harmon who is accused of aiding in a robbery that turned fatal. Steve was allegedly serving as a look out for other members in a gang while they attempted to rob a local convenience store. When the robbery goes awry, Steve finds himself facing the potential of life in prison. The story is told through a unique lens (literally) as Steve, an aspiring filmmaker, writes the story using in movie script format. This novel approach in writing is sure to catch the attention of middle school students sick of the same novel format. Steve uses the script format as he reflects on the situation that got him where he is now, as well as the challenges he faces in prison (which interestingly are not too far removed from what students his age face in the real world, perhaps to a lesser degree though).
Much of the novel is also focused on the sequence of events that unfold in the courtroom itself. As a teacher, I found this to be a great link for students who are passionate about law (or even T.V. shows such as Law and Order or C.S.I), criminal justice, or simply life in a courtroom. As the novel continues Myers (the author) does a great job of helping the reader empathize with Steve's situation, though the question still remains, "was Steve just in the wrong place at the wrong time?" or "is there more to the story than the reader is exposed to?". All of Steve's stories and court proceedings culminate into the conclusion of the book when the reader is given the final verdict for Steve Harmon.
Even though I am older than Myers probable targeted audience, "Monster" was still an enjoyable read for me. As I became more attached to Steve, I found the novel harder and harder to put down. I think that "Monster" is a great book for use with middle school students as Steve is a figure that many growing up at that age can relate to. In order to keep students invested in reading, we must provide them with literature that affects them personally. That being said, I do think that there are parts of this book that will require "life-lesson" teaching. Some of Steve's encounters in the prison may be too mature for some students and the topic of gang violence can be a difficult one to approach in the classroom. That being said, I still believe that "Monster" is a wonderful book that has a lot to offer!
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers is a fictional novel 281 pages in length. It was published by Amistad on May 8th, 2001. The Flesh Kincaid Reading Level of "Monster" is at 7.8.